Post Apartment Homes 10-K 28 Feb 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 14, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'POST PROPERTIES INC	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000903127	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'No	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'Yes	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	54,324,553	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$2,652,200,279
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]	'	'	'
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'POST APARTMENT HOMES LP	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001012271	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'No	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'Yes	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Non-accelerated Filer	'	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Real estate assets	'	'
Land	$327,270	$318,416
Building and improvements	2,408,906	2,278,213
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	291,027	270,180
Construction in progress	74,064	90,075
Land held for future investment	61,768	54,468
Real estate assets, total	3,163,035	3,011,352
Less: accumulated depreciation	-913,018	-842,925
For-sale condominiums	1,122	23,281
Total real estate assets	2,251,139	2,191,708
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated real estate entities	4,056	4,533
Cash and cash equivalents	82,110	118,698
Restricted cash	4,712	5,388
Deferred financing costs, net	8,495	10,855
Other assets	31,165	32,182
Total assets	2,381,677	2,363,364
Liabilities and equity	'	'
Indebtedness	1,098,734	1,102,464
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other	73,431	88,926
Investments in unconsolidated real estate entities	16,687	16,297
Dividends and distributions payable	17,928	13,653
Accrued interest payable	5,157	5,721
Security deposits and prepaid rents	10,888	9,524
Total liabilities	1,222,825	1,236,585
Redeemable common units	6,121	7,159
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Company shareholders' equity	'	'
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 20,000 authorized: 8 1/2% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Shares, liquidation preference $50 per share, 868 shares issued and outstanding	9	9
Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000 authorized: 54,629 and 54,483 shares issued and 54,191 and 54,470 shares outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively	546	545
Additional paid-in-capital	1,111,861	1,107,354
Accumulated earnings	66,138	27,266
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-3,419	-11,679
Stockholders Equity Subtotal Before Treasury Stock	1,175,135	1,123,495
Less common stock in treasury, at cost, 519 and 107 shares at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively	-22,188	-3,781
Total Company shareholders' equity	1,152,947	1,119,714
Noncontrolling interests - consolidated property partnerships	-216	-94
Total equity	1,152,731	1,119,620
Total liabilities and equity	2,381,677	2,363,364
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]	'	'
Real estate assets	'	'
Land	327,270	318,416
Building and improvements	2,408,906	2,278,213
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	291,027	270,180
Construction in progress	74,064	90,075
Land held for future investment	61,768	54,468
Real estate assets, total	3,163,035	3,011,352
Less: accumulated depreciation	-913,018	-842,925
For-sale condominiums	1,122	23,281
Total real estate assets	2,251,139	2,191,708
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated real estate entities	4,056	4,533
Cash and cash equivalents	82,110	118,698
Restricted cash	4,712	5,388
Deferred financing costs, net	8,495	10,855
Other assets	31,165	32,182
Total assets	2,381,677	2,363,364
Liabilities and equity	'	'
Indebtedness	1,098,734	1,102,464
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other	73,431	88,926
Investments in unconsolidated real estate entities	16,687	16,297
Dividends and distributions payable	17,928	13,653
Accrued interest payable	5,157	5,721
Security deposits and prepaid rents	10,888	9,524
Total liabilities	1,222,825	1,236,585
Redeemable common units	6,121	7,159
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Company shareholders' equity	'	'
Preferred units	43,392	43,392
General partner	12,715	12,477
Limited partner	1,100,259	1,075,524
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-3,419	-11,679
Total Company shareholders' equity	1,152,947	1,119,714
Noncontrolling interests - consolidated property partnerships	-216	-94
Total equity	1,152,731	1,119,620
Total liabilities and equity	$2,381,677	$2,363,364

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000	20,000
Preferred stock, liquidation preference	$50	$50
Preferred stock, shares issued	868	868
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	868	868
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, authorized	100,000	100,000
Common stock, shares issued	54,629	54,483
Common stock, shares outstanding	54,191	54,470
Common stock in treasury, shares	519	107

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues	'	'	'
Rental	$341,902	$311,021	$282,584
Other property revenues	19,963	18,463	17,501
Other	872	850	918
Total revenues	362,737	330,334	301,003
Expenses	'	'	'
Property operating and maintenance (exclusive of items shown separately below)	155,261	141,775	130,148
Depreciation	85,608	79,367	74,464
General and administrative	17,245	16,342	16,100
Investment and development	1,755	1,317	1,161
Other investment costs	1,324	1,401	1,435
Severance, impairment and other	2,417	'	'
Total expenses	263,610	240,202	223,308
Operating income	99,127	90,132	77,695
Interest income	77	393	1,021
Interest expense	-44,704	-46,028	-56,417
Amortization of deferred financing costs	-2,573	-2,695	-2,797
Net gains on condominium sales activities	27,944	36,273	10,514
Equity in income of unconsolidated real estate entities, net	2,090	7,995	1,001
Other income (expense), net	-839	1,034	619
Net loss on extinguishment of indebtedness	'	-4,318	-6,919
Income from continuing operations	81,122	82,786	24,717
Discontinued operations	'	'	'
Income from discontinued property operations	1,418	1,505	878
Gains on sales of real estate assets	28,380	'	'
Income from discontinued operations	29,798	1,505	878
Net income	110,920	84,291	25,595
Noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities	-107	-135	-67
Noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership	-279	-217	-62
Net income available to the Company	110,534	83,939	25,466
Dividends to preferred shareholders	-3,688	-3,688	-4,455
Preferred stock redemption costs	'	'	-1,757
Net income available to common shareholders	106,846	80,251	19,254
Per common share data - Basic	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations (net of preferred distributions)	$1.42	$1.46	$0.36
Income from discontinued operations	$0.55	$0.03	$0.02
Net income available to common shareholders	$1.96	$1.49	$0.38
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	54,336	53,821	50,420
Per common share data - Diluted	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations (net of preferred distributions)	$1.41	$1.45	$0.36
Income from discontinued operations	$0.54	$0.03	$0.02
Net income available to common shareholders	$1.96	$1.48	$0.38
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	54,508	54,131	50,808
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'
Rental	341,902	311,021	282,584
Other property revenues	19,963	18,463	17,501
Other	872	850	918
Total revenues	362,737	330,334	301,003
Expenses	'	'	'
Property operating and maintenance (exclusive of items shown separately below)	155,261	141,775	130,148
Depreciation	85,608	79,367	74,464
General and administrative	17,245	16,342	16,100
Investment and development	1,755	1,317	1,161
Other investment costs	1,324	1,401	1,435
Severance, impairment and other	2,417	'	'
Total expenses	263,610	240,202	223,308
Operating income	99,127	90,132	77,695
Interest income	77	393	1,021
Interest expense	-44,704	-46,028	-56,417
Amortization of deferred financing costs	-2,573	-2,695	-2,797
Net gains on condominium sales activities	27,944	36,273	10,514
Equity in income of unconsolidated real estate entities, net	2,090	7,995	1,001
Other income (expense), net	-839	1,034	619
Net loss on extinguishment of indebtedness	'	-4,318	-6,919
Income from continuing operations	81,122	82,786	24,717
Discontinued operations	'	'	'
Income from discontinued property operations	1,418	1,505	878
Gains on sales of real estate assets	28,380	'	'
Income from discontinued operations	29,798	1,505	878
Net income	110,920	84,291	25,595
Noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities	-107	-135	-67
Net income available to the Company	110,813	84,156	25,528
Dividends to preferred shareholders	-3,688	-3,688	-4,455
Preferred stock redemption costs	'	'	-1,757
Net income available to common shareholders	$107,125	$80,468	$19,316
Per common share data - Basic	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations (net of preferred distributions)	$1.42	$1.46	$0.36
Income from discontinued operations	$0.55	$0.03	$0.02
Net income available to common shareholders	$1.96	$1.49	$0.38
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	54,478	53,968	50,584
Per common share data - Diluted	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations (net of preferred distributions)	$1.41	$1.45	$0.36
Income from discontinued operations	$0.54	$0.03	$0.02
Net income available to common shareholders	$1.96	$1.48	$0.38
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	54,650	54,278	50,972

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net income	$110,920	$84,291	$25,595
Net change in derivative financial instruments	8,282	-9,069	-2,641
Total comprehensive income	119,202	75,222	22,954
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests:	'	'	'
Consolidated real estate entities	-107	-135	-67
Operating Partnership	-301	-194	-54
Total Company comprehensive income	118,794	74,893	22,833
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]	'	'	'
Net income	110,920	84,291	25,595
Net change in derivative financial instruments	8,282	-9,069	-2,641
Total comprehensive income	119,202	75,222	22,954
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests:	'	'	'
Consolidated real estate entities	-107	-135	-67
Total Operating Partnership comprehensive income	$119,095	$75,087	$22,887

Consolidated_Statements_of_Equ

Consolidated Statements of Equity and Accumulated Earnings (USD $)

Total

Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]

Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]

Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]

Accumulated Earnings [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]

Treasury Stock [Member]

Total Company Equity [Member]

Total Company Equity [Member]

Noncontrolling Interests - Consolidated Real Estate Entities [Member]

Noncontrolling Interests - Consolidated Real Estate Entities [Member]

In Thousands

USD ($)

USD ($)

General Partner [Member]

Limited Partners [Member]

USD ($)

Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]

USD ($)

Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]

USD ($)

Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010

$967,295

$967,295

$10,354

$863,773

$29

$92,963

$489

'

$965,691

$4,577

'

'

($3,696)

$967,090

$967,090

$205

$205

Beginning Balance, Common shares at Dec. 31, 2010

'

'

'

'

'

'

48,913

49,084

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Beginning Balance, Preferred shares at Dec. 31, 2010

'

'

'

'

2,851

2,851

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Comprehensive income

22,900

22,900

184

20,827

'

4,455

'

'

'

25,466

-2,633

-2,633

'

22,833

22,833

67

67

Sales of common stock, net

135,651

135,651

1,357

134,294

'

'

34

'

135,530

'

'

'

87

135,651

135,651

'

'

Sales of common stock, net, shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,409

3,409

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Employee stock purchase, stock option and other plan issuances

17,286

17,286

173

17,113

'

'

7

'

17,670

'

'

'

-391

17,286

17,286

'

'

Employee stock purchase, stock option and other plan issuances, shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

652

651

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion of redeemable common units

547

547

'

547

'

'

'

'

547

'

'

'

'

547

547

'

'

Conversion of redeemable common units for shares, shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Adjustment for ownership interest of redeemable common units

-466

-466

'

-466

'

'

'

'

-466

'

'

'

'

-466

-466

'

'

Redemption of preferred stock

-49,633

-49,633

'

-62

-20

-49,571

'

'

-49,613

'

'

'

'

-49,633

-49,633

'

'

Redemption of preferred stock, shares

'

'

'

'

-1,983

-1,983

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock-based compensation

2,574

2,574

26

2,548

'

'

'

'

2,574

'

'

'

'

2,574

2,574

'

'

Dividends to preferred shareholders

-4,455

-4,455

'

'

'

-4,455

'

'

'

-4,455

'

'

'

-4,455

-4,455

'

'

Dividends to common shareholders ($0.84, 0.97 and 1.24 per share for year 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively)

-43,105

-43,105

-432

-42,673

'

'

'

'

-17,517

-25,588

'

'

'

-43,105

-43,105

'

'

Distributions to noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities

-267

-267

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-267

-267

Adjustment to redemption value of redeemable common units

-804

-804

'

-804

'

'

'

'

-804

'

'

'

'

-804

-804

'

'

Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011

1,047,523

1,047,523

11,662

995,097

9

43,392

530

'

1,053,612

'

-2,633

-2,633

-4,000

1,047,518

1,047,518

5

5

Ending Balance, Common shares at Dec. 31, 2011

'

'

'

'

'

'

52,988

53,144

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ending Balance, Preferred shares at Dec. 31, 2011

'

'

'

'

868

868

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Comprehensive income

75,028

75,028

804

79,447

'

3,688

'

'

'

83,939

-9,046

-9,046

'

74,893

74,893

135

135

Sales of common stock, net

25,457

25,457

255

25,202

'

'

6

'

25,451

'

'

'

'

25,457

25,457

'

'

Sales of common stock, net, shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

550

550

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Employee stock purchase, stock option and other plan issuances

25,414

25,414

254

25,160

'

'

9

'

25,339

'

'

'

66

25,414

25,414

'

'

Employee stock purchase, stock option and other plan issuances, shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

919

919

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion of redeemable common units

591

591

'

591

'

'

'

'

438

'

'

'

153

591

591

'

'

Conversion of redeemable common units for shares, shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Adjustment for ownership interest of redeemable common units

-416

-416

'

-416

'

'

'

'

-416

'

'

'

'

-416

-416

'

'

Stock-based compensation

2,930

2,930

29

2,901

'

'

'

'

2,930

'

'

'

'

2,930

2,930

'

'

Dividends to preferred shareholders

-3,688

-3,688

'

'

'

-3,688

'

'

'

-3,688

'

'

'

-3,688

-3,688

'

'

Dividends to common shareholders ($0.84, 0.97 and 1.24 per share for year 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively)

-52,551

-52,551

-527

-52,024

'

'

'

'

'

-52,551

'

'

'

-52,551

-52,551

'

'

Distributions to noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities

-234

-234

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-234

-234

Adjustment to redemption value of redeemable common units

-434

-434

'

-434

'

'

'

'

'

-434

'

'

'

-434

-434

'

'

Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012

1,119,620

1,119,620

12,477

1,075,524

9

43,392

545

'

1,107,354

27,266

-11,679

-11,679

-3,781

1,119,714

1,119,714

-94

-94

Ending Balance, Common shares at Dec. 31, 2012

54,470

'

'

'

'

'

54,470

54,613

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ending Balance, Preferred shares at Dec. 31, 2012

868

'

'

'

868

868

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Comprehensive income

118,901

118,901

1,071

105,775

'

3,688

'

'

'

110,534

8,260

8,260

'

118,794

118,794

107

107

Employee stock purchase, stock option and other plan issuances

5,549

5,549

55

5,494

'

'

1

'

1,061

-1,542

'

'

6,029

5,549

5,549

'

'

Employee stock purchase, stock option and other plan issuances, shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

263

263

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion of redeemable common units

354

354

'

354

'

'

'

'

'

-10

'

'

364

354

354

'

'

Conversion of redeemable common units for shares, shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

8

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Adjustment for ownership interest of redeemable common units

-192

-192

'

-192

'

'

'

'

-192

'

'

'

'

-192

-192

'

'

Stock-based compensation

3,638

3,638

36

3,602

'

'

'

'

3,638

'

'

'

'

3,638

3,638

'

'

Acquisition of treasury stock

-24,800

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-24,800

-24,800

'

'

'

Acquisition of common units

'

-24,800

-248

-24,552

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-24,800

'

'

Acquisition of treasury stock, shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

-550

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition of common units, Share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-550

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dividends to preferred shareholders

-3,688

-3,688

'

'

'

-3,688

'

'

'

-3,688

'

'

'

-3,688

-3,688

'

'

Dividends to common shareholders ($0.84, 0.97 and 1.24 per share for year 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively)

-67,433

-67,433

-676

-66,757

'

'

'

'

'

-67,433

'

'

'

-67,433

-67,433

'

'

Distributions to noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities

-229

-229

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-229

-229

Adjustment to redemption value of redeemable common units

1,011

1,011

'

1,011

'

'

'

'

'

1,011

'

'

'

1,011

1,011

'

'

Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013

$1,152,731

$1,152,731

$12,715

$1,100,259

$9

$43,392

$546

'

$1,111,861

$66,138

($3,419)

($3,419)

($22,188)

$1,152,947

$1,152,947

($216)

($216)

Ending Balance, Common shares at Dec. 31, 2013

54,191

'

'

'

'

'

54,191

54,326

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ending Balance, Preferred shares at Dec. 31, 2013

868

'

'

'

868

868

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Equ1

Consolidated Statements of Equity and Accumulated Earnings (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Dividends to common shareholders, per share	$1.24	$0.97	$0.84
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]	'	'	'
Dividends to common shareholders, per share	$1.24	$0.97	$0.84

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash Flows From Operating Activities	'	'	'
Net income	$110,920	$84,291	$25,595
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation	86,135	80,145	75,263
Amortization of deferred financing costs	2,573	2,695	2,797
Net gains on sales of real estate assets	-56,324	-36,273	-10,514
Other, net	2,142	585	1,747
Impairment charges	400	'	'
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	-2,090	-7,995	-1,001
Distributions of earnings of unconsolidated entities	2,865	3,236	1,744
Deferred compensation	21	109	95
Stock-based compensation	3,647	2,937	2,581
Net loss on extinguishment of indebtedness	'	4,318	6,919
Changes in assets, decrease (increase) in:	'	'	'
Other assets	-3,545	-921	-1,213
Changes in liabilities, increase (decrease) in:	'	'	'
Accrued interest payable	-564	536	-656
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	2,154	598	-288
Security deposits and prepaid rents	2,040	-72	-685
Net cash provided by operating activities	150,374	134,189	102,384
Cash Flows From Investing Activities	'	'	'
Development and construction of real estate assets	-123,422	-133,379	-76,271
Acquisition of communities	-48,399	-73,963	-48,616
Proceeds from sales of real estate assets	116,684	87,673	59,469
Capitalized interest	-3,962	-5,534	-3,000
Property capital expenditures	-36,236	-28,015	-26,123
Corporate additions and improvements	-1,357	-585	-996
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	'	7,821	'
Note receivable collections and other investments	954	967	597
Net cash used in investing activities	-95,738	-145,015	-94,940
Cash Flows From Financing Activities	'	'	'
Lines of credit proceeds	'	104,632	159,523
Lines of credit repayments	'	-239,632	-24,523
Proceeds from indebtedness	'	550,000	'
Payments on indebtedness	-3,730	-282,979	-197,806
Payments of financing costs and other	-302	-11,051	-10,112
Proceeds from sales of common stock	'	25,457	135,651
Proceeds from employee stock purchase and stock options plans	4,858	24,666	16,536
Redemption of preferred stock	'	'	-49,633
Acquisition of treasury stock	-24,800	'	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - real estate entities	-229	-234	-267
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - common unitholders	-166	-139	-136
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	-3,688	-3,688	-4,455
Dividends paid to common shareholders	-63,167	-50,592	-41,227
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-91,224	116,440	-16,449
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-36,588	105,614	-9,005
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	118,698	13,084	22,089
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	82,110	118,698	13,084
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]	'	'	'
Cash Flows From Operating Activities	'	'	'
Net income	110,920	84,291	25,595
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation	86,135	80,145	75,263
Amortization of deferred financing costs	2,573	2,695	2,797
Net gains on sales of real estate assets	-56,324	-36,273	-10,514
Other, net	2,142	585	1,747
Impairment charges	400	'	'
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	-2,090	-7,995	-1,001
Distributions of earnings of unconsolidated entities	2,865	3,236	1,744
Deferred compensation	21	109	95
Stock-based compensation	3,647	2,937	2,581
Net loss on extinguishment of indebtedness	'	4,318	6,919
Changes in assets, decrease (increase) in:	'	'	'
Other assets	-3,545	-921	-1,213
Changes in liabilities, increase (decrease) in:	'	'	'
Accrued interest payable	-564	536	-656
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	2,154	598	-288
Security deposits and prepaid rents	2,040	-72	-685
Net cash provided by operating activities	150,374	134,189	102,384
Cash Flows From Investing Activities	'	'	'
Development and construction of real estate assets	-123,422	-133,379	-76,271
Acquisition of communities	-48,399	-73,963	-48,616
Proceeds from sales of real estate assets	116,684	87,673	59,469
Capitalized interest	-3,962	-5,534	-3,000
Property capital expenditures	-36,236	-28,015	-26,123
Corporate additions and improvements	-1,357	-585	-996
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	'	7,821	'
Note receivable collections and other investments	954	967	597
Net cash used in investing activities	-95,738	-145,015	-94,940
Cash Flows From Financing Activities	'	'	'
Lines of credit proceeds	'	104,632	159,523
Lines of credit repayments	'	-239,632	-24,523
Proceeds from indebtedness	'	550,000	'
Payments on indebtedness	-3,730	-282,979	-197,806
Payments of financing costs and other	-302	-11,051	-10,112
Proceeds from employee stock purchase and stock options plans	4,858	50,123	152,187
Redemption of preferred stock	'	'	-49,633
Acquisition of treasury stock	-24,800	'	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - real estate entities	-229	-234	-267
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - common unitholders	-166	-139	-136
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	-3,688	-3,688	-4,455
Dividends paid to common shareholders	-63,167	-50,592	-41,227
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-91,224	116,440	-16,449
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-36,588	105,614	-9,005
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	118,698	13,084	22,089
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$82,110	$118,698	$13,084

Organization_and_Summary_of_Si

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	1	ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICES
	Organization
	Post Properties, Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries develop, own and manage upscale multi-family apartment communities in selected markets in the United States. The Company through its wholly-owned subsidiaries is the sole general partner, a limited partner and owns a majority interest in Post Apartment Homes, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), a Georgia limited partnership. The Operating Partnership, through its operating divisions and subsidiaries conducts substantially all of the on-going operations of the Company, a publicly traded corporation which operates as a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”). As used herein, the term “Company” includes Post Properties, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Post Apartment Homes, L.P., unless the context indicates otherwise.
	The Company has elected to qualify and operate as a self-administrated and self-managed REIT for federal income tax purposes. A REIT is a legal entity which holds real estate interests and is generally not subject to federal income tax on the income it distributes to its shareholders. The Operating Partnership is governed under the provisions of a limited partnership agreement, as amended. Under the provisions of the limited partnership agreement, as amended, Operating Partnership net profits, net losses and cash flow (after allocations to preferred ownership interests) are allocated to the partners in proportion to their common ownership interests. Cash distributions from the Operating Partnership shall be, at a minimum, sufficient to enable the Company to satisfy its annual dividend requirements to maintain its REIT status under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
	At December 31, 2013, the Company had interests in 22,516 apartment units in 60 communities, including 1,471 apartment units in four communities held in unconsolidated entities and 1,620 apartment units in five communities currently under development or in lease-up. At December 31, 2013, approximately 30.0%, 22.6%, 14.0% and 10.1% (on a unit basis) of the Company’s operating communities were located in the Atlanta, Georgia, Dallas, Texas, the greater Washington, D.C. and Tampa, Florida metropolitan areas, respectively.
	At December 31, 2013, the Company had outstanding 54,191 shares of common stock and owned the same number of units of common limited partnership interests (“Common Units”) in the Operating Partnership, representing a 99.7% ownership interest in the Operating Partnership. Common Units held by persons other than the Company totaled 135 at December 31, 2013 and represented a 0.3% common minority interest in the Operating Partnership. Each Common Unit may be redeemed by the holder thereof for either one share of Company common stock or cash equal to the fair market value thereof at the time of redemption, at the option, but outside the control, of the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership presently anticipates that it will cause shares of common stock to be issued in connection with each such redemption rather than paying cash (as has been done in all redemptions to date). With each redemption of outstanding Common Units for Company common stock, the Company’s percentage ownership interest in the Operating Partnership will increase. In addition, whenever the Company issues shares of common stock, the Company will contribute any net proceeds therefrom to the Operating Partnership and the Operating Partnership will issue an equivalent number of Common Units to the Company. The Company’s weighted average common ownership interest in the Operating Partnership was 99.7% for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	Basis of presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of the Company, the Operating Partnership and their wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company also consolidates other entities in which it has a controlling financial interest or entities where it is determined to be the primary beneficiary under ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation.” Under ASC Topic 810, variable interest entities (“VIEs”) are generally entities that lack sufficient equity to finance their activities without additional financial support from other parties or whose equity holders lack adequate decision making ability. The primary beneficiary is required to consolidate a VIE for financial reporting purposes. The application of ASC Topic 810 requires management to make significant estimates and judgments about the Company’s and its other partners’ rights, obligations and economic interests in such entities. For entities in which the Company has less than a controlling financial interest or entities where it is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary, the entities are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, the Company’s share of the net earnings or losses of
	these entities is included in consolidated net income. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s noncontrolling interest of common unitholders (also referred to as “Redeemable Common Units”) in the operations of the Operating Partnership is calculated based on the weighted average unit ownership during the period.
	Revenue recognition
	Residential properties are leased under operating leases with terms of generally one year or less. Rental revenues from residential leases are recognized on the straight-line method over the approximate life of the leases, which is generally one year. The recognition of rental revenues from residential leases when earned has historically not been materially different from rental revenues recognized on a straight-line basis.
	Under the terms of residential leases, the residents of the Company’s residential communities are obligated to reimburse the Company for certain utility usage, water and electricity (at selected properties), where the Company is the primary obligor to the public utility entity. These utility reimbursements from residents are reflected as other property revenues in the consolidated statements of operations.
	Sales and the associated gains or losses of real estate assets and for-sale condominiums are recognized in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 360-20, “Property, Plant and Equipment – Real Estate Sales.” The Company accounts for each condominium project under either the “Deposit Method” or the “Percentage of Completion Method,” based on a specific evaluation of the factors specified in ASC Topic 360-20. The factors used to determine the appropriate accounting method are the legal commitment of the purchaser in the real estate contract, whether the construction of the project is beyond a preliminary phase, whether sufficient units have been contracted to ensure the project will not revert to a rental project, the ability to reasonably estimate the aggregate project sale proceeds and aggregate project costs and the determination that the buyer has made an adequate initial and continuing cash investment under the contract in accordance with ASC Topic 360-20. For all years presented, all condominium communities are accounted for under the Deposit Method. In periods prior to and including 2013, under ASC Topic 360-20, the Company used the relative sales value method to allocate costs and recognize profits from condominium sales. Under the relative sales value method, estimates of aggregate project revenues and aggregate project costs were used to determine the allocation of project cost of sales and the resulting profit in each accounting period. In subsequent periods, cumulative project cost of sale allocations and the resulting profits were adjusted to reflect changes in the actual and estimated costs and revenues of each project.
	Cost capitalization
	The Company capitalizes those expenditures relating to the acquisition of new assets and the development and construction of new apartment communities. In addition, the Company capitalizes expenditures that enhance the value of existing assets and expenditures that substantially extend the life of existing assets. Annually recurring capital expenditures are expenditures of a type that are expected to be incurred on an annual basis during the life of an apartment community, such as carpet, appliances and flooring. Periodically recurring capital expenditures are expenditures that generally occur less frequently than on an annual basis, such as major exterior projects relating to landscaping and structural improvements. Revenue generating capital expenditures are expenditures for the rehabilitation of communities and other property upgrade costs that enhance the rental value of such communities. All other expenditures necessary to maintain a community in ordinary operating condition are expensed as incurred. Additionally, for new development communities, carpet, vinyl, and blind replacements are expensed as incurred during the first five years (which corresponds to their estimated depreciable life). Thereafter, these replacements are capitalized and depreciated. The Company expenses as incurred interior and exterior painting of its operating communities, unless those communities are under rehabilitation or major remediation.
	For communities under development or rehabilitation, the Company capitalizes interest, real estate taxes, and certain internal personnel and associated costs associated with the development and construction activity. Interest is capitalized to projects under development or construction based upon the weighted average cumulative project costs for each month multiplied by the Company’s weighted average borrowing costs, expressed as a percentage. Weighted average borrowing costs include the costs of the Company’s fixed rate secured and unsecured borrowings and the variable rate unsecured borrowings under its line of credit facilities. The weighted average borrowing costs, expressed as a percentage, were 4.6%, 5.4% and 6.0% for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Internal development and construction personnel and associated costs are capitalized to projects under development or construction based upon the effort associated with such projects. Aggregate internal development and construction personnel and associated costs capitalized to projects under development or construction were $2,900, $3,755 and $2,854 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company treats each unit in an apartment community separately for cost accumulation, capitalization and expense recognition purposes. Prior to the completion of rental units, interest and other construction costs are capitalized and reflected on the balance sheet as construction in progress. The Company ceases the capitalization of such costs as the residential units in a community become substantially complete and available for occupancy or sale. This results in a proration of costs between amounts that are capitalized and expensed as the residential units in apartment development communities become available for occupancy. In addition, prior to the completion of rental units, the Company expenses as incurred substantially all operating expenses (including pre-opening marketing as well as property management and leasing personnel expenses) of such rental communities.
	For cash flow statement purposes, the Company classifies capital expenditures for developed condominium communities in investing activities in the caption titled, “Development and construction of real estate assets.” Likewise, the proceeds from the sales of such condominiums are included in investing activities in the caption titled, “Proceeds from the sale of real estate assets.”
	Real estate assets, depreciation and impairment
	Real estate assets are stated at the lower of depreciated cost or fair value, if deemed impaired. Major replacements and betterments are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the useful lives of the properties (buildings and components – 40 years; other building and land improvements – 20 years; furniture, fixtures and equipment – 5-10 years).
	The Company continually evaluates the recoverability of the carrying value of its real estate assets using the methodology prescribed in ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment.” Factors considered by management in evaluating impairment of its existing real estate assets held for investment include significant declines in property operating profits, annually recurring property operating losses and other significant adverse changes in general market conditions that are considered permanent in nature. Under ASC Topic 360, a real estate asset held for investment is not considered impaired if the undiscounted, estimated future cash flows of an asset (both the annual estimated cash flow from future operations and the estimated cash flow from the theoretical sale of the asset) over its estimated holding period are in excess of the asset’s net book value at the balance sheet date. If any real estate asset held for investment is considered impaired, a loss is provided to reduce the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value. In addition, for-sale condominium units completed and ready for their intended use are evaluated for impairment using the methodology for assets held for sale (using discounted projected future cash flows).
	The Company periodically classifies real estate assets as held for sale. An asset is classified as held for sale after the approval of the Company’s board of directors and after an active program to sell the asset has commenced. Upon the classification of a real estate asset as held for sale, the carrying value of the asset is reduced to the lower of its net book value or its estimated fair value, less costs to sell the asset. Subsequent to the classification of assets as held for sale, no further depreciation expense is recorded. Real estate assets held for sale are stated separately on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Upon a decision to no longer market an asset for sale, the asset is classified as an operating asset and depreciation expense is reinstated. As of December 31, 2013, there were no real estate assets held for sale.
	For condominium communities, the operating results and associated gains and losses are reflected on the consolidated statement of operations in the caption titles “Net gains on condominium sales activities” (see discussion under “revenue recognition” above), and the net book value of the condominium assets is reflected separately on the consolidated balance sheet in the caption titled, “For-sale condominiums.”
	Fair value measurements
	The Company applies the guidance in ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” to the valuation of real estate assets recorded at fair value, if any, to its impairment valuation analysis of real estate assets, to its disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments, principally indebtedness and to its derivative financial instruments. Fair value disclosures required under ASC Topic 820 are summarized in note 14 utilizing the following hierarchy:
		•		Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement date.
		•		Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
		•		Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the assets or liability.
	Apartment community acquisitions
	The Company accounts for its apartment community acquisitions in accordance with ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” In accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 805, the aggregate purchase price of apartment community acquisitions is allocated to the tangible assets and liabilities (including mortgage indebtedness, if any) as well as the intangible assets acquired in each transaction based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. In determining the acquisition date fair value of the component assets and liabilities, the Company uses independent market data, internal analysis of comparable communities, relevant historical data from the acquired community as well as other market data. The acquired tangible assets, principally land, building and improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment are reflected in real estate assets, and such assets, excluding land, are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. The acquired intangible assets, principally the value of above/below market leases and the value of in-place leases are reflected in other assets and amortized over the average remaining lease terms of the acquired leases (generally 6 to 12 months for residential leases and 5 to 10 years for retail leases). The legal, professional and other expenses associated with acquisition related activities are expensed as incurred.
	Stock-based compensation
	The Company accounts for stock-based compensation under the fair value method prescribed by ASC Topic 505, “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees,” and ASC Topic 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation.” This guidance requires the Company to expense the fair value of employee stock options and other forms of stock-based compensation.
	Derivative financial instruments
	The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments at fair value under the provisions of ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.” In conjunction with its implementation of updates to the fair value measurements guidance, the Company made an accounting policy election as of January 1, 2012 to measure derivative financial instruments subject to master netting agreements on a net basis. The Company uses derivative financial instruments, primarily interest rate swap arrangements to manage or hedge its exposure to interest rate changes. Under ASC Topic 815, derivative instruments qualifying as hedges of specific cash flows are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value with an offsetting increase or decrease to accumulated other comprehensive income, an equity account, until the hedged transactions are recognized in earnings. Quarterly, the Company evaluates the effectiveness of its cash flow hedges. Any ineffective portion of cash flow hedges are recognized immediately in earnings.
	Cash and cash equivalents
	All investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents.
	Restricted cash
	Restricted cash is generally comprised of resident security deposits for apartment communities located in Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and New York and certain escrow deposits associated with the Company’s for-sale condominium business.
	Deferred financing costs
	Deferred financing costs are amortized using the straight-line method, which approximates the interest method, over the terms of the related indebtedness.
	Per share and per unit data
	The Company and Operating Partnership report both basic and diluted earnings per share and per unit, respectively, as prescribed by ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” The guidance also requires entities with participating securities that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends, like the Company’s unvested share-based payment awards (see notes 6 and 7), to use the two-class method for computing basic and dilutive earnings per share and unit. Under the two-class method earnings are allocated to each class of common stock and to participating securities according to the dividends paid or declared and the relative participation of such securities to remaining undistributed earnings.
	Basic earnings per common share and earnings per common unit are computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders or unitholders by the weighted average number of common shares or units outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common unit are computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders or unitholders by the weighted average number of common shares or units and common share or unit equivalents outstanding during the year, which are computed using the treasury stock method for outstanding stock options. Common share and unit equivalents are excluded from the computations in years in which they have an anti-dilutive effect. The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share and basic and diluted earnings per common unit for income from continuing operations is detailed in notes 6 and 7 for the Company and the Operating Partnership, respectively.
	Noncontrolling interests
	The Company accounts for noncontrolling interests in accordance with ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation.” ASC Topic 810, in conjunction with other existing GAAP, established criterion used to evaluate the characteristics of noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities to determine whether noncontrolling interests are classified and accounted for as permanent equity or “temporary” equity (presented between liabilities and permanent equity on the consolidated balance sheet). ASC Topic 810 also clarified the treatment of noncontrolling interests with redemption provisions. If a noncontrolling interest has a redemption feature that permits the issuer to settle in either cash or common shares at the option of the issuer but the equity settlement feature is deemed to be outside of the control of the issuer, then those noncontrolling interests are classified as “temporary” equity. The Company currently has two types of noncontrolling interests, (1) noncontrolling interests related to the common unitholders of its Operating Partnership (see note 5) and (2) noncontrolling interests related to its consolidated real estate entities.
	The Company accounts for the redemption of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership in exchange for shares of company common stock at fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 810. These transactions result in a reduction in the noncontrolling interest of common unitholders in the Operating Partnership and a corresponding increase in equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at the date of conversion. In accordance with guidance in ASC Topic 810 the noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership is carried at the greater of its redemption value or net book value.
	Use of estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Supplemental cash flow information
	Supplemental cash flow information for 2013, 2012 and 2011 was as follows:
			Year ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
	Interest paid, including interest capitalized		$	49,519		$	51,417		$	60,447
	Income tax payments, net			1,192			3			386
	Non-cash investing and financing activities:
	Dividends and distributions payable			17,928			13,653			11,692
	Conversions of redeemable common units			354			591			547
	Common stock 401k matching contribution			670			639			655
	Construction and property capital expenditure cost accruals, increase (decrease)			(8,435	)		7,422			1,475
	Adjustments to equity related to redeemable common units, net increase (decrease)			819			(850	)		(1,270	)

Real_Estate_Activities

Real Estate Activities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Real Estate [Abstract]	'
Real Estate Activities	'
	2	REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES
	Acquisitions
	In May 2013, the Company acquired a 300-unit apartment community located in Orlando, Florida for a purchase price of approximately $48,500. The purchase price of this community was allocated to land ($4,377), building improvements and equipment ($43,724) and identified lease related intangible assets ($399) based on their estimated fair values.
	In July 2012, the Company acquired a 360-unit apartment community, including approximately 7,612 square feet of retail space, located in Charlotte, North Carolina for an aggregate gross purchase price of $74,000. The purchase price of this community was allocated to land ($7,732), building, improvements and equipment ($65,521), other assets ($296) and identified lease related intangible assets ($451) based on their estimated fair values.
	Dispositions
	The Company classifies real estate assets as held for sale after the approval of its board of directors and after the Company has commenced an active program to sell the assets. Under ASC Topic 360, the operating results of real estate assets designated as held for sale and sold are included in discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of operations for all periods presented. Additionally, all gains and losses on the sale of these assets are included in discontinued operations. There were no apartment communities classified as held for sale at December 31, 2013.
	For all years presented, income from discontinued operations included the results of operations of one community through its sale date in October 2013.
	The revenues and expenses for this community in 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:
			Year ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
	Revenues
	Rental		$	3,557		$	4,155		$	3,934
	Other property revenues			356			422			379
	Total revenues			3,913			4,577			4,313
	Expenses
	Property operating and maintenance			1,679			1,903			2,262
	Depreciation			527			778			799
	Interest			289			391			374
	Total expenses			2,495			3,072			3,435
	Income from discontinued property operations		$	1,418		$	1,505		$	878
	In 2013, the Company recognized net gains in discontinued operations of $28,380 from the sale of one apartment community, containing 342 units. This sale generated aggregate gross proceeds of $47,500.
	Condominium activities
	In 2013, the Company continued to sell condominium homes at two wholly owned condominium communities. In the third quarter of 2013, the Company substantially completed the sell-out of its condominium community in Atlanta, Georgia (the “Atlanta Condominium Project”). At December 31, 2013, the Company had one condominium unit remaining for sale at this community with an aggregate carrying value of $1,122. The Company completed the sell-out of its remaining condominium units in its condominium community in Austin, Texas (the “Austin Condominium Project”), during the second quarter of 2013.
	The revenues, costs and expenses associated with consolidated condominium activities included in continuing operations in 2013, 2012 and 2011 was as follows:
			Year ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
	Condominium revenues		$	68,168		$	89,698		$	57,944
	Condominium costs and expenses			(40,224	)		(54,037	)		(48,407	)
	Net gains on sales of residential condominiums, before income tax			27,944			35,661			9,537
	Net gain on sale of retail condominium, before income tax			-			-			977
	Income tax benefit			-			612			-
	Net gains on sales of condominiums		$	27,944		$	36,273		$	10,514
	The Company closed 62, 96 and 58 condominium homes in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, at its condominium communities. In 2012, the Company recognized an income tax benefit of $612 related to the recovery of income taxes paid in prior years by the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiaries. In 2011, the Company sold a retail condominium, representing a portion of the available retail space, at the Austin Condominium Project and recognized a net gain of $977.

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_

Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Entities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Entities	'
	3. INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED REAL ESTATE ENTITIES
	At December 31, 2013, the Company held investments in two individual limited liability companies (the “Apartment LLCs”) with institutional investors that own four apartment communities, including three communities located in Atlanta, Georgia and one community located in Washington, D.C. The Company has a 25% and 35% equity interest in these Apartment LLCs.
	The Company accounts for its investments in the Apartment LLCs using the equity method of accounting. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s investment in the 35% owned Apartment LLC totaled $4,056 and $4,533, respectively, excluding the credit investments discussed below. The excess of the Company’s investment over its equity in the underlying net assets of these Apartment LLCs was approximately $2,738 at December 31, 2013. The excess investment related to these Apartment LLCs is being amortized as a reduction to earnings on a straight-line basis over the lives of the related assets. The Company’s investment in the 25% owned Apartment LLC at December 31, 2013 and 2012 reflects a credit investment of $16,687 and $16,297, respectively. These credit balances resulted from distribution of financing proceeds in excess of the Company’s historical cost upon the formation of the Apartment LLC and are reflected in consolidated liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The operating results of the Company include its allocable share of net income from the investments in the Apartment LLCs. The Company provides property and asset management services to the Apartment LLCs for which it earns fees.
	A summary of financial information for the Apartment LLCs in the aggregate is as follows:
			December 31,
	Apartment LLCs - Balance Sheet Data		2013			2012
	Real estate assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $43,649 and
	$38,332 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively		$	209,132		$	212,877
	Cash and other			4,978			5,103
	Total assets		$	214,110		$	217,980
	Mortgage notes payable		$	177,723		$	177,723
	Other liabilities			2,673			2,588
	Total liabilities			180,396			180,311
	Members’ equity			33,714			37,669
	Total liabilities and members’ equity		$	214,110		$	217,980
	Company’s equity investment in Apartment LLCs (1)		$	(12,631	)	$	(11,764	)
	-1	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s equity investment includes its credit investments of $16,687 and $16,297, respectively, discussed above.
			Year ended December 31,
	Apartment LLCs - Income Statement Data		2013			2012			2011
	Revenues
	Rental		$	25,692		$	24,659		$	23,504
	Other property revenues			1,881			1,844			1,823
	Total revenues			27,573			26,503			25,327
	Expenses
	Property operating and maintenance			10,955			10,541			9,896
	Depreciation and amortization			5,421			5,768			5,934
	Interest			9,052			9,181			10,247
	Total expenses			25,428			25,490			26,077
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations			2,145			1,013			(750	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations			-			21,667			(151	)
	Net income		$	2,145		$	22,680		$	(901	)
	Company’s share of net income in Apartment LLCs		$	2,090		$	7,995		$	1,001
	In February 2012, a 35% owned Apartment LLC sold an apartment community located in Atlanta, Georgia. The net cash proceeds from the sale of approximately $50,500 were used to retire the Apartment LLC’s outstanding mortgage note payable of $29,272 and to make distributions to its members. The results of operations and the gain on sale of the apartment community from this Apartment LLC are included in discontinued operations in the table above in 2012. The Company’s equity in income of unconsolidated entities for the year ended December 31, 2012 includes a net gain of $6,055 resulting from this transaction.
	At December 31, 2013, mortgage notes payable included four mortgage notes. The first $51,000 mortgage note bears interest at 3.50%, requires monthly interest only payments and matures in 2019. The second and third mortgage notes collectively total $85,724, bear interest at 5.63%, require interest only payments and mature in 2017. The fourth mortgage note totals $41,000, bears interest at 5.71%, requires interest only payments, and matures in January 2018 with a one-year automatic extension at a variable interest rate.

Indebtedness

Indebtedness	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Indebtedness	'
	4	INDEBTEDNESS
	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s indebtedness consisted of the following:
			Payment				Maturity			December 31,
	Description		Terms		Interest Rate		Date			2013		2012
	Senior Unsecured Notes		Int.			3.375% - 4.75%		2017-2022	(1)	$	400,000	$	400,000
	Unsecured Bank Term Loan		Int.			LIBOR + 1.70% (2)		2018			300,000		300,000
	Unsecured Revolving Lines of Credit		Int.			LIBOR + 1.225% (3)		2016			-		-
	Secured Mortgage Notes		Prin. and Int.			4.88% - 5.99%		2015-2019	(4)		398,734		402,464
	Total									$	1,098,734	$	1,102,464
	-1	There are no maturities of senior unsecured notes in 2014. The outstanding unsecured notes mature in 2017 and 2022.
	-2	Represents stated rate at December 31, 2013. As discussed below, the Company has entered into interest rate swap arrangements that effectively fix the interest rate under this facility. At December 31, 2013, the effective blended interest rate under the Term Loan was 3.24%.
	-3	Represents stated rate at December 31, 2013.
	-4	There are no maturities of secured notes in 2014.
	Debt maturities
	The aggregate maturities of the Company’s indebtedness are as follows:
	2014		$	3,961
	2015			124,205
	2016			4,418
	2017			154,736
	2018			350,958
	Thereafter			460,456
			$	1,098,734
	Unsecured lines of credit
	At December 31, 2013, the Company had a $300,000 syndicated unsecured revolving line of credit (the “Syndicated Line”). At December 31, 2013, the Syndicated Line had a stated interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.225%, was provided by a syndicate of eleven financial institutions and required the payment of annual facility fees of 0.225% of the aggregate loan commitments. The Syndicated Line matures in January 2016 and may be extended for an additional year at the Company’s option, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. The Syndicated Line provides for the interest rate and facility fee rate to be adjusted up or down based on changes in the credit ratings on the Company’s senior unsecured debt. The component of the interest rate and the facility fee rate that are based on the Company’s credit ratings range from 1.00% to 1.80% and from 0.15% to 0.40%, respectively. The Syndicated Line also includes a competitive bid option for borrowings up to 50% of the loan commitments, which may result in interest rates for such borrowings below the stated interest rates for the Syndicated Line, depending on market conditions. The credit agreement for the Syndicated Line contains customary restrictions, representations, covenants and events of default, including minimum fixed charge coverage, minimum unsecured interest coverage, and maximum leverage ratios. The Syndicated Line also restricts the amount of capital the Company can invest in specific categories of assets, such as improved land, properties under construction, condominium properties, non-multifamily properties, debt or equity securities, notes receivable and unconsolidated affiliates. The Syndicated Line prohibits the Company from investing further capital in condominium assets, excluding its current investment in the Atlanta Condominium Project, and certain mixed-use projects, as defined. At December 31, 2013, letters of credit to third parties totaling $420 had been issued for the account of the Company under this facility.
	Additionally, at December 31, 2013, the Company had a $30,000 unsecured line of credit (the “Cash Management Line”). The Cash Management Line matures in January 2016, includes a one-year extension option, and carries pricing and terms, including financial covenants, substantially consistent with the Syndicated Line.
	In connection with the refinancing of the line of credit facilities in 2012, the Company recognized an extinguishment loss of $301 related to the write-off of a portion of unamortized deferred financing costs associated with the amendment of the Syndicated Line. In connection with the Term Loan financing, and the refinancing of the Syndicated Line and the Cash Management Line in January 2012, the Company incurred fees and expenses of approximately $5,159 in 2012.
	Unsecured term loan
	At December 31, 2013, the Company had outstanding a $300,000 unsecured bank term loan facility provided by a syndicate of eight financial institutions (the “Term Loan”). At December 31, 2013, the Term Loan carried a stated interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.70%. The Term Loan provides for the stated interest rate to be adjusted up or down based on changes in the credit ratings on the Company’s senior unsecured debt. The component of the interest rate based on the Company’s credit ratings ranges from 1.50% to 2.30%. The Term Loan matures in January 2018, includes two six-month extension options, and carries other terms, including financial covenants, substantially consistent with the Syndicated Line discussed further above. As discussed in note 14, the Company entered into interest rate swap arrangements to serve as cash flow hedges of amounts outstanding under the Term Loan. The interest rate swap arrangements effectively fix the LIBOR component of the interest rate paid under the Term Loan at a blended rate of approximately 1.54%. As a result, the effective blended interest rate on the Term Loan was 3.24% as of December 31, 2013 (subject to adjustment based on subsequent changes in the Company’s credit ratings).
	Debt issuances, retirements and modifications
	2013
	There were no issuances or retirements of indebtedness in 2013.
	2012
	In January 2012, the Company entered into the Term Loan discussed above. In 2012, the proceeds from the Term Loan were used to retire the senior unsecured notes that matured in June 2012, as discussed below, to pay down outstanding line of credit borrowings and for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of secured mortgage indebtedness discussed below.
	In June 2012, the Company repaid $95,684 of senior unsecured notes upon their maturity. The stated interest rate on these notes was 5.45%.
	In October 2012, the Company prepaid $53,027 of secured mortgage indebtedness at par. The stated interest rate on the indebtedness was 5.50%.
	In November 2012, the Company issued $250,000 of senior unsecured notes. These notes bear interest at 3.375% and are due in 2022. In December 2012, the Company used a portion of the proceeds from these unsecured notes to prepay $130,091 of 6.30% senior unsecured notes. In conjunction with the prepayment, the Company recognized an extinguishment loss of $4,017 related to prepayment premiums and the write-off of unamortized deferred loan costs.
	Debt compliance and other
	The Company’s Syndicated Line, Cash Management Line, Term Loan and senior unsecured notes contain customary restrictions, representations, covenants and events of default and require the Company to meet certain financial covenants. Debt service and fixed charge coverage covenants require the Company to maintain coverages of a minimum of 1.5 to 1.0, as defined in applicable debt arrangements. Additionally, the Company’s ratio of unencumbered adjusted property-level net operating income to unsecured interest expense may not be less than 2.0 to 1.0, as defined in the applicable debt arrangements. Leverage covenants generally require the Company to maintain calculated covenants above/below minimum/maximum thresholds. The primary leverage ratios under these arrangements include total debt to total asset value (maximum of 60%), total secured debt to total asset value (maximum of 40%) and unencumbered assets to unsecured debt (minimum of 1.5 to 1.0), as defined in the applicable debt arrangements. The Company believes it met these financial covenants at December 31, 2013.
	The aggregate net book value at December 31, 2013 of property pledged as collateral for indebtedness amounted to approximately $330,670.

Equity_and_Noncontrolling_Inte

Equity and Noncontrolling Interests	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Equity and Noncontrolling Interests	'
	5	EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
	Common stock
	In May 2012, the Company adopted an at-the-market (“ATM”) common equity sales program for the sale of up to 4,000 shares of common stock. At December 31, 2013, the Company had not used this program and had 4,000 shares remaining for issuance. Sales of common stock under a previous ATM program totaled 550 and 3,409 shares for gross process of $26,153 and $138,628 in 2012 and 2011, respectively. The average gross sales price per share was $47.55 and $40.67, in 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company’s net proceeds of $25,457 and $135,651 in 2012 and 2011, respectively, were contributed to the Operating Partnership in exchange for a like number of common units. The Company and the Operating Partnership used the proceeds from this program for general corporate purposes.
	In December 2012, the Company’s board of directors adopted a stock and unsecured note repurchase program under which the Company and the Operating Partnership may repurchase up to $200,000 of common and preferred stock and unsecured notes through December 2014. Under this program, the Company repurchased 550 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $24,800 and at an average gross price per share of $45.08 in 2013. There were no shares of common stock repurchased in 2012 or 2011 under this program or a previous stock repurchase program. The Company made repurchases of preferred stock under these programs in 2011 as described below.
	Preferred stock
	At December 31, 2013, the Company had one outstanding series of cumulative redeemable preferred stock with the following characteristics:
	Description		Outstanding			Liquidation			Optional			Redemption		Stated			Approximate
			Shares			Preference			Redemption			Price(1)		Dividend			Dividend
									Date (1)					Yield			Rate
						(per share)						(per share)					(per share)
	Series A			868		$	50			10/1/26		$	50		8/1/02	%	$	4.25
	(1)    The	redemption price is the price at which the preferred stock is redeemable, at the Company’s option, for cash.
	In March 2011, the Company redeemed its 7-5/8% Series B preferred stock at its redemption value of $49,571, plus accrued and unpaid dividends through the redemption date. Correspondingly, the Operating Partnership redeemed its Series B preferred units on the same date and under the same terms. In connection with the issuance of the Series B preferred stock in 1997, the Company incurred issuance costs and recorded such costs as a reduction of shareholders’ equity. The redemption price of the Series B preferred stock exceeded the related carrying value by the associated issuance costs and expenses of $1,757. In connection with the redemption, the Company reflected $1,757 of issuance costs and expenses as a reduction of earnings in arriving at the net income available to common shareholders in 2011. Likewise, the redemption price of the Series B preferred units exceeded the related carrying value by the associated issuance costs and expenses of $1,757, and the Operating Partnership reflected the $1,757 as a reduction of earnings in arriving at the net income attributable to common unitholders in 2011.
	Noncontrolling interests
	In accordance with ASC Topic 810, the Company and the Operating Partnership determined that the noncontrolling interests related to the common units of the Operating Partnership, held by persons other than the Company, met the criterion to be classified and accounted for as “temporary” equity (reflected outside of total equity as “Redeemable Common Units”). At December 31, 2013, the aggregate redemption value of the noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership of $6,121 was in excess of its net book value of $2,792. At December 31, 2012, the aggregate redemption value of the noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership of $7,159 was in excess of its net book value of $2,820. The Company further determined that the noncontrolling interests in its consolidated real estate entities met the criterion to be classified and accounted for as a component of permanent equity.
	A roll-forward of activity relating to the Company’s redeemable common units for 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
			Year ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
	Redeemable common units, beginning of period		$	7,159		$	6,840		$	6,192
	Comprehensive income			301			194			54
	Conversion of redeemable common units for shares			(354	)		(591	)		(547	)
	Adjustment for ownership interest of redeemable common units			192			416			466
	Stock-based compensation			9			7			7
	Distributions to common unitholders			(175	)		(141	)		(136	)
	Adjustment to redemption value of redeemable common units			(1,011	)		434			804
	Redeemable common units, end of period		$	6,121		$	7,159		$	6,840

Company_Earnings_Per_Share

Company Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Company Earnings Per Share	'
	6	COMPANY EARNINGS PER SHARE
	In 2013, 2012 and 2011, a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the computation of basic and diluted income from continuing operations available to common shareholders of the Company was as follows:
			Year ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
	Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders (numerator):
	Income from continuing operations		$	81,122		$	82,786		$	24,717
	Noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities			(107	)		(135	)		(67	)
	Noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership			(202	)		(213	)		(59	)
	Preferred stock dividends			(3,688	)		(3,688	)		(4,455	)
	Preferred stock redemption costs			-			-			(1,757	)
	Unvested restricted stock (allocation of earnings)			(170	)		(183	)		(57	)
	Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders		$	76,955		$	78,567		$	18,322
	Common shares (denominator):
	Weighted average shares outstanding - basic			54,336			53,821			50,420
	Dilutive shares from stock options			172			310			388
	Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted			54,508			54,131			50,808
	Per-share amount:
	Basic		$	1.42		$	1.46		$	0.36
	Diluted		$	1.41		$	1.45		$	0.36
	Stock options to purchase 186, 158 and 531 shares of common stock in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common share as these stock options were antidilutive.
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]	'
Company Earnings Per Share	'
	7	OPERATING PARTNERSHIP EARNINGS PER SHARE
	In 2013, 2012 and 2011, a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the computation of basic and diluted income from continuing operations available to common unitholders of the Operating Partnership was as follows:
			Year ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
	Income from continuing operations available to common unitholders (numerator):
	Income from continuing operations		$	81,122		$	82,786		$	24,717
	Noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities			(107	)		(135	)		(67	)
	Preferred unit distributions			(3,688	)		(3,688	)		(4,455	)
	Preferred unit redemption costs			-			-			(1,757	)
	Unvested restricted stock (allocation of earnings)			(170	)		(183	)		(57	)
	Income from continuing operations available to common unitholders		$	77,157		$	78,780		$	18,381
	Common units (denominator):
	Weighted average units outstanding - basic			54,478			53,968			50,584
	Dilutive units from stock options			172			310			388
	Weighted average units outstanding - diluted			54,650			54,278			50,972
	Per-unit amount:
	Basic		$	1.42		$	1.46		$	0.36
	Diluted		$	1.41		$	1.45		$	0.36
	Stock options to purchase 186, 158 and 531 shares of common stock in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common unit as these stock options were antidilutive.

Severance_Impairment_and_Other

Severance, Impairment and Other Charges	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Severance, Impairment and Other Charges	'
	8	SEVERENCE, IMPAIRMENT AND OTHER
	Severance, impairment and other in 2013 included severance charges of $1,189 related to the departure of an executive officer and other personnel and a non-cash impairment charge of $400 to write-down to fair value a parcel of land held for future investment (see note 14). The Company also recognized expenses of approximately $592 related to the start of a strategic initiative to upgrade the Company’s operating and financial software systems and estimated casualty losses of $236 related to fire damage sustained at one of the Company’s communities. The casualty losses were beneath the Company’s insured deductibles.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	9	INCOME TAXES
	The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To qualify as a REIT, the Company must distribute annually at least 90% of its adjusted taxable income, as defined in the Code, to its shareholders and satisfy certain other organizational and operating requirements. It is management’s current intention to adhere to these requirements and maintain the Company’s REIT status. As a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to federal income tax at the corporate level on the taxable income it distributes to its shareholders. Should the Company fail to qualify as a REIT in any tax year, it may be subject to federal income taxes at regular corporate rates (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) and may not be able to qualify as a REIT for four subsequent taxable years. The Company may be subject to certain state and local taxes on its income and property, and to federal income taxes and excise taxes on its undistributed taxable income.
	The Operating Partnership files tax returns as a limited partnership under the Code. As a partnership, the income and losses of the Operating Partnership are allocated to its partners, including the Company, for inclusion in their respective income tax returns. Accordingly, no provision or benefit for income taxes has been included in the accompanying Operating Partnership financial statements. The Operating Partnership intends to make sufficient cash distributions to the Company to enable it to meet its annual REIT distribution requirements.
	In the preparation of income tax returns in federal and state jurisdictions, the Company, the Operating Partnership and its taxable REIT subsidiaries assert certain tax positions based on their understanding and interpretation of the income tax law. The taxing authorities may challenge such positions and the resolution of such matters could result in the payment and recognition of additional income tax expense. Management believes it has used reasonable judgments and conclusions in the preparation of its income tax returns. The Company and its subsidiaries, including the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”), income tax returns are subject to examination by federal and state tax jurisdictions for years 2010 through 2012. Net income tax loss carryforwards and other tax attributes generated in years prior to 2010 are also subject to challenge in any examination of the 2010 to 2012 tax years.
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s TRSs had unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $797 which primarily related to uncertainty regarding the sustainability of certain deductions taken on prior year income tax returns of the TRS with respect to the amortization of certain intangible assets. The uncertainty surrounding this unrecognized tax benefit will generally be clarified in future periods as income tax loss carryforwards are utilized. To the extent these unrecognized tax benefits are ultimately recognized, they may affect the effective tax rate in a future period. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties for 2013, 2012 and 2011 were not material to the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
	Reconciliation of net income available to the Company to taxable income
	As discussed in note 1, the Company conducts substantially all of its operations through its majority-owned subsidiary, the Operating Partnership. For income tax reporting purposes, the Company receives an allocable share of the Operating Partnership’s ordinary income and capital gains based on its weighted average ownership, adjusted for certain specially allocated items. All adjustments to net income in the table below are net of amounts attributable to minority interests and taxable REIT subsidiaries. A reconciliation of net income available to the Company to taxable income for 2013, 2012 and 2011 is detailed below:
			2013			2012			2011
			(Estimate)			(Actual)			(Actual)
	Net income available to the Company		$	110,534		$	83,939		$	25,466
	Add (subtract) net loss (income) of taxable REIT subsidiaries			(26,842	)		(33,956	)		(739	)
	Adjusted net income available to the Company			83,692			49,983			24,727
	Book/tax depreciation difference			(3,770	)		(2,611	)		(3,863	)
	Book/tax difference on gains from real estate sales			(28,306	)		1,804			-
	Book/tax difference on stock-based compensation			(1,810	)		(15,706	)		(5,108	)
	Other book/tax differences, net			6,068			(1,267	)		(3,761	)
	Taxable income of the Company before allocation of taxable capital gains			55,874			32,203			11,995
	Income taxable as capital gains			-			(7,843	)		-
	Taxable ordinary income of the Company		$	55,874		$	24,360		$	11,995
	Income tax characterization of dividends
	For income tax purposes, dividends to common shareholders are characterized as ordinary income, capital gains or as a return of a shareholder’s invested capital. A summary of the income tax characterization of the Company’s dividends paid per common share is as follows for 2013, 2012 and 2011:
			2013						2012						2011
			Amount (1)			% (1)			Amount (1)			% (1)			Amount (1)		% (1)
	Ordinary income		$	1.15			99.4	%	$	0.53			56.6	%	$	0.23		28	%
	Capital gains			0.01			0.6			0.07			7			-		-
	Unrecaptured Section 1250 gains			-			-			0.06			6.9			-		-
	Return of capital			-			-			0.28			29.5			0.59		72
			$	1.16			100	%	$	0.94			100	%	$	0.82		100	%
	-1	The amounts and percentages detailed in the table above represent average amounts for the years presented. Actual quarterly amounts may differ.
	The income tax characterization of dividends to common shareholders is based on the calculation of Taxable Earnings and Profits, as defined in the Code. Taxable Earnings and Profits differ from regular taxable income due primarily to differences in the estimated useful lives and methods used to compute depreciation and in the recognition of gains and losses on the sale of real estate assets.
	As of December 31, 2013, the net basis for federal income tax purposes, taking into account the special allocation of gain to the partners contributing property to the Operating Partnership and including minority interest in the Operating Partnership, was lower than the net assets as reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements by $44,000.
	Taxable REIT subsidiaries
	The Company utilizes TRSs principally to perform such non-REIT activities as asset and property management, for-sale housing (condominiums) sales and other services. These TRSs are subject to federal and state income taxes. No income tax provision (benefit) was recognized in 2013, 2012 and 2011 other than discussed below, as a result of estimated and actual taxable losses and the inability to recognize tax benefits related to such losses and aggregate deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty surrounding their ultimate realization. In 2012, the TRSs recognized an income tax benefit of $612 related to the recovery of income taxes paid in prior years. In 2011, the TRSs recognized an income tax benefit of $470 resulting from adjustments of prior year state tax provisions based on filed tax returns.
	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the TRSs’ net deferred tax assets totaled $25,994 and $38,559, respectively. The TRSs’ net deferred tax assets primarily reflect real estate asset basis differences between carrying amounts for financial and income tax reporting purposes, income tax loss carryforwards and the timing of income and expense recognition for certain accrued liabilities and transactions. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, management had established valuation allowances to offset such net deferred tax assets due primarily to historical losses at the TRSs in prior years and the variability of the income (loss) of these subsidiaries. The tax benefits associated with such unused valuation allowances may be recognized in future periods, if the TRSs generate sufficient taxable income to utilize such amounts or if the TRSs determine that it is more likely than not that the related deferred tax assets are realizable.

StockBased_Compensation_Plans

Stock-Based Compensation Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation Plans	'
	10	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
	As the primary operating subsidiary of the Company, the Operating Partnership participates in and bears the compensation expenses associated with the Company’s stock-based compensation plans. The information discussed below relating to the Company’s stock-based compensation plans is also applicable for the Operating Partnership.
	Incentive stock plans
	Incentive stock awards are granted under the Company’s 2003 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended and restated in October 2008 (the “2003 Stock Plan”). Under the 2003 Stock Plan, an aggregate of 3,469 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance. Of this amount, stock grants count against the total shares available under the 2003 Stock Plan as 2.7 shares for every one share issued, while options (and stock appreciation rights (“SAR”) settled in shares) count against the total shares available as one share for every one share issued on the exercise of an option (or SAR). The exercise price of each option granted under the 2003 Stock Plan may not be less than the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the option grant and all options may have a maximum life of ten years. Participants receiving restricted stock grants are generally eligible to vote such shares and receive dividends on such shares. Substantially all stock option and restricted stock grants are subject to annual vesting provisions (generally three to five years) as determined by the compensation committee overseeing the 2003 Stock Plan.
	Compensation costs for stock options have been estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing method. The weighted average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model are as follows:
			Year ended December 31,
			2013			2012		2011
	Dividend yield			2.00%			2.00%		2.2	%
	Expected volatility			43.10%			43.30%		42.4	%
	Risk-free interest rate			1.10%			1.10%		2.7	%
	Expected option term (years)			6.0 years			6.0 years		6.0 years
	The Company’s assumptions were derived from the methodologies discussed herein. The expected dividend yield reflects the Company’s current historical yield, which was expected to approximate the future yield. Expected volatility was based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The risk-free interest rate for the expected life of the options was based on the implied yields on the U.S. Treasury yield curve. The weighted average expected option term was based on the Company’s historical data for prior period stock option exercise and forfeiture activity.
	Restricted stock
	Compensation cost for restricted stock is amortized ratably into compensation expense over the applicable vesting periods. Total compensation expense related to restricted stock was $3,020, $2,334 and $2,004 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. At December 31, 2013, there was $3,210 of unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years. The total intrinsic value of restricted shares vested in 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $2,933, $3,892 and $4,246, respectively.
	A summary of the activity related to the Company’s restricted stock for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
			Year ended December 31,
			2013					2012					2011
			Shares			Weighted-Avg.		Shares			Weighted-Avg.		Shares			Weighted-Avg.
						Grant-Date					Grant-Date					Grant-Date
						Fair Value					Fair Value					Fair Value
	Unvested shares, beginning of period			65		$	42		84		$	29		129		$	19
	Granted (1)			75			50		59			45		52			38
	Vested			(64	)		44		(78	)		30		(97	)		21
	Forfeited			(1	)		50		-			-		-			-
	Unvested shares, end of period			75			48		65			42		84			29
	-1	The total value of the restricted share grants in 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $3,743, $2,657 and $2,012, respectively.
	Stock options
	Compensation cost for stock options is amortized ratably into compensation expense over the applicable vesting periods. In 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company recorded compensation expense related to stock options of $463, $380 and $379, respectively, recognized under the fair value method. At December 31, 2013, there was $437 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.6 years.
	A summary of stock option activity under all plans in 2013, 2012 and 2011, is presented below:
			Year ended December 31,
			2013					2012					2011
			Shares			Exercise Price		Shares			Exercise Price		Shares			Exercise Price
	Options outstanding, beginning of period			685		$	34		1,501		$	31		2,068		$	31
	Granted			29			50		29			44		25			37
	Exercised			(174	)		29		(845	)		30		(582	)		30
	Forfeited			(1	)		50		-			-		-			-
	Expired			-			-		-			-		(10	)		39
	Options outstanding, end of period (1)			539			36		685			34		1,501			31
	Options exercisable, end of period (1)			486			35		617			34		1,348			33
	Options vested and expected to vest, end of period (1)			536			36		682			34		1,494			31
	Weighted average fair value of options granted during the period		$	17.26				$	15.18				$	13.18
	-1	At December 31, 2013, the aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding, exercisable and vested/expected to vest was $5,418, $5,333 and $5,413, respectively. At that same date, the weighted average remaining contractual lives of stock options outstanding, exercisable and vested/expected to vest was 3.7 years, 3.2 years and 3.7 years, respectively.
	Upon the exercise of stock options, the Company issues shares of common stock from treasury shares or, to the extent treasury shares are not available, from authorized common shares. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised in 2013, 2012 and 2011 and was $2,808, $15,808 and $5,525, respectively.
	At December 31, 2013, the Company segregated its outstanding options into two ranges, based on exercise prices, as follows:
	Option Ranges		Options Outsanding								Options Exercisable
			Shares			Weighted Avg.		Weighted Avg. Life			Shares		Weighted Avg.
						Exercise Price		(Years)					Exercise Price
	$12.22 - $39.95			217		$	23		4			208	$	23
	$40.15 - $50.30			322			45		3.6			278		44
	Total			539			36		3.7			486		35
	Employee stock purchase plan
	The Company maintains an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) approved by Company shareholders in 2005. The maximum number of shares issuable under the ESPP is 300. The purchase price of shares of common stock under the ESPP is equal to 85% of the lesser of the closing price per share of common stock on the first or last day of the trading period, as defined. The Company records the aggregate cost of the ESPP (generally the 15% discount on the share purchases) as a period expense. Total compensation expense relating to the ESPP was $164, $223 and $198 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Employee_Benefit_Plan

Employee Benefit Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plan	'
	11	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
	The Company maintains a defined contribution plan pursuant to Section 401 of the Code (the “401K Plan”) that allows eligible employees to contribute a percentage of their compensation to the 401K Plan. The Company matches 50% of the employee’s pre-tax contribution up to a maximum employee contribution of 6% of salary in 2013, 2012 and 2011. Company contributions of $658, $670 and $639 were made to the 401K Plan in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Contributions are made in the Company’s common stock.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	12	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Land, office and equipment leases
	The Company is party to two ground leases expiring in 2038 and 2074 for two separate operating communities as well as to other facility, office, equipment and other operating leases with terms expiring through 2057. One of the ground leases contains stated rent increases that generally compensate for the impact of inflation. The other ground lease does not contain any escalating payments. Future minimum lease payments for non-cancelable land, office, equipment and other leases at December 31, 2013, were as follows:
	2014		$	665
	2015			652
	2016			650
	2017			652
	2018			652
	2019 and thereafter			65,169
	The Company incurred $3,542, $3,738 and $3,691 of rent expense, including rent expense under short-term rental and lease arrangements, in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Legal proceedings
	In September 2010, the United States Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) filed a lawsuit against the Company in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The suit alleges various violations of the Fair Housing Act (“FHA”) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) at properties designed, constructed or operated by the Company in the District of Columbia, Virginia, Florida, Georgia, New York, North Carolina and Texas. The plaintiff seeks statutory damages and a civil penalty in unspecified amounts, as well as injunctive relief that includes retrofitting apartments and public use areas to comply with the FHA and the ADA and prohibiting construction or sale of noncompliant units or complexes. The Company filed a motion to transfer the case to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, where a previous civil case involving alleged violations of the FHA and ADA by the Company was filed and ultimately dismissed. On October 29, 2010, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia issued an opinion finding that the complaint shows that the DOJ’s claims are essentially the same as the previous civil case, and, therefore, granted the Company’s motion and transferred the DOJ’s case to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Limited discovery is proceeding. Under the Court’s scheduling order, the deadline for completion of discovery was November 2013 and briefing of any dispositive motions would be accomplished by March 2014. Due to the preliminary nature of the litigation, it is not possible to predict or determine the outcome of the legal proceeding, nor is it possible to estimate the amount of loss, if any, that would be associated with an adverse decision.
	The Company is involved in various other legal proceedings incidental to their business from time to time, most of which are expected to be covered by liability or other insurance. Management of the Company believes that any resolution of pending proceedings or liability to the Company which may arise as a result of these various other legal proceedings will not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	13	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
	In 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company held investments in Apartment LLCs accounted for under the equity method of accounting (see note 3). In 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company recorded, before elimination of the Company’s equity interests, project management fees, property management fees and expense reimbursements (primarily personnel costs) of approximately $3,481, $3,488 and $3,978, respectively, from these related companies. The Company’s portion of all significant intercompany transactions was eliminated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Fair_Value_Measures_and_Financ

Fair Value Measures and Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measures and Financial Instruments	'
	14	FAIR VALUE MEASURES AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	From time to time, the Company records certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Real estate assets may be stated at fair value if they become impaired in a given period and may be stated at fair value if they are held for sale and the fair value of such assets is below historical cost. Additionally, the Company records derivative financial instruments at fair value. The Company also uses fair value metrics to evaluate the carrying values of its real estate assets and for the disclosure of certain financial instruments. Fair value measurements were determined by management using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies available to management at December 31, 2013. Considerable judgment is necessary to interpret market data and estimate fair value. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the estimates discussed herein, using Level 2 and 3 inputs, are indicative of the amounts the Company could realize on disposition of the real estate assets or other financial instruments. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies could have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.
	Real estate assets
	The Company periodically reviews its real estate assets, including operating assets, construction in progress, land held for future investment and for-sale condominiums, for impairment purposes using Level 3 inputs, primarily comparable sales and market data, independent valuations and discounted cash flow models.
	In 2013, the Company recognized impairment charges of $400 to write-down a parcel of land held for future investment to its estimated fair value. The estimated fair value of the land was determined using Level 3 inputs, consisting primarily of comparable market sales data. In 2012 and 2011, the Company did not recognize any impairment charges related to its real estate assets.
	Derivatives
	The Company manages its exposure to interest rate changes through the use of derivative financial instruments, primarily interest rate swap arrangements. At December 31, 2013, the Company had outstanding three interest rate swap arrangements with substantially similar terms and conditions. These arrangements have an aggregate notional amount of $230,000 and require the Company to pay a blended fixed rate of approximately 1.55% (with the counterparties paying the Company the floating one-month LIBOR rate). Additionally, the Company had outstanding a fourth interest rate swap arrangement with a notional amount of $70,000 and it requires the Company to pay a fixed rate of approximately 1.50% (with the counterparty paying the Company the floating one-month LIBOR rate) (together, the “Interest Rate Swaps”). The Interest Rate Swaps serve as cash flow hedges of amounts outstanding under the Company’s variable rate Term Loan (see note 4) entered into in 2012 and provide for an effective blended fixed rate for the corresponding amount of Term Loan borrowings, of approximately 3.24% at December 31, 2013 (subject to an adjustment based on subsequent changes in the Company’s credit ratings). The Interest Rate Swaps terminate in January 2018.
	The Interest Rate Swaps are measured and accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis. The Interest Rate Swaps outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were valued as net liabilities of $3,428 and $11,710, respectively, primarily using level 2 inputs, as substantially all of the fair value was determined using widely accepted discounted cash flow valuation techniques along with observable market-based inputs for similar types of arrangements. The Company reflects both the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risks and its own nonperformance risks in its fair value measurements using unobservable inputs. However, the impact of such risks was not considered material to the overall fair value measurements of the derivatives. These liabilities are included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Under ASC Topic 815, a corresponding amount is included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), an equity account, until the hedged transactions are recognized in earnings. The following table summarizes the effect of these Interest Rate Swaps (designated as cash flow hedges) on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for 2013 and 2012:
			Year ended December 31,
	Interest Rate Swap / Cash Flow Hedging Instruments		2013			2012			2011
	Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income		$	4,191		$	(11,804)		$	-
	Loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into interest expense		$	(4,091	)	$	(2,735	)	$	-
	The amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2013 will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made under the hedged indebtedness. Over the next year, the Company estimates that $3,979 will be reclassified from accumulated comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense.
	As part of the Company’s on-going procedures, the Company monitors the credit worthiness of its financial institution counterparties and its exposure to any single entity, which it believes minimizes credit risk concentration. The Company believes the likelihood of realized losses from counterparty non-performance is remote. The Interest Rate Swaps are cross defaulted with the Company’s Term Loan and Syndicated Line (see note 4) and contain certain provisions consistent with these types of arrangements. If the Company was required to terminate the Interest Rate Swaps and settle the obligations thereunder as of December 31, 2013, the termination payment by the Company would have been approximately $3,419.
	Other financial instruments
	Cash equivalents, rents and accounts receivables, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities are carried at amounts which reasonably approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. December 31, 2013, the fair value of fixed rate debt was approximately $816,582 (carrying value of $798,734) and the fair value of variable rate debt, including the Company’s lines of credit, was approximately $305,653 (carrying value of $300,000). At December 31, 2012, the fair value of fixed rate debt was approximately $860,217 (carrying value of $802,464) and the fair value of variable rate debt, including the Company’s lines of credit, was approximately $298,551 (carrying value of $300,000). Long-term indebtedness was valued using Level 2 inputs, primarily market prices of comparable debt instruments.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	15	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	Segment description
	In accordance with ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting,” the Company presents segment information based on the way that management organizes the segments within the enterprise for making operating decisions and assessing performance. The segment information is prepared on the same basis as the internally reported information used by the Company’s chief operating decision makers to manage the business.
	The Company’s chief operating decision makers focus on the Company’s primary sources of income from apartment community rental operations. Apartment community rental operations are generally broken down into segments based on the various stages in the apartment community ownership lifecycle. These segments are described below. All commercial properties and other ancillary service and support operations are combined in the line item “other property segments” in the accompanying segment information. The segment information presented below reflects the segment categories based on the lifecycle status of each community as of January 1, 2012.
		•		Fully stabilized communities – those apartment communities which have been stabilized (the earlier of the point at which a property reaches 95% occupancy or one year after completion of construction) for both the current and prior year.
		•		Newly stabilized communities – those apartment communities which reached stabilized occupancy in 2012.
		•		Lease-up communities – those apartment communities that are under development, rehabilitation and lease-up but were not stabilized by the beginning of 2013, including communities that stabilized in 2013.
		•		Acquired communities – those communities acquired in 2013 or in 2012.
	Segment performance measure
	Management uses contribution to consolidated property net operating income (“NOI”) as the performance measure for its operating segments. The Company uses NOI, including NOI of stabilized communities, as an operating measure. NOI is defined as rental and other property revenue from real estate operations less total property and maintenance expenses from real estate operations (excluding depreciation and amortization). The Company believes that NOI is an important supplemental measure of operating performance for a REIT’s operating real estate because it provides a measure of the core operations, rather than factoring in depreciation and amortization, financing costs and general and administrative expenses generally incurred at the corporate level. This measure is particularly useful, in the opinion of the Company, in evaluating the performance of operating segment groupings and individual properties. Additionally, the Company believes that NOI, as defined, is a widely accepted measure of comparative operating performance in the real estate investment community. The Company believes that the line on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations entitled “net income” is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to NOI.
	Segment information
	The following table reflects each segment’s contribution to consolidated revenues and NOI together with a reconciliation of segment contribution to property NOI to consolidated net income in 2013, 2012 and 2011. Additionally, substantially all of the Company’s assets relate to the Company’s property rental operations. Asset cost, depreciation and amortization by segment are not presented because such information at the segment level is not reported internally.
			Year ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
	Revenues
	Fully stabilized communities		$	313,412		$	301,899		$	278,180
	Lease-up communities			16,765			1,779			-
	Acquired communities			8,708			2,757			-
	Other property segments			22,980			23,049			21,905
	Other			872			850			918
	Consolidated revenues		$	362,737		$	330,334		$	301,003
	Contribution to Property Net Operating Income
	Fully stabilized communities		$	192,263		$	186,008		$	169,518
	Lease-up communities			8,640			(5	)		-
	Acquired communities			5,721			1,868			-
	Other property segments, including corporate management expenses			(20	)		(162	)		419
	Consolidated property net operating income			206,604			187,709			169,937
	Interest income			77			393			1,021
	Other revenues			872			850			918
	Depreciation			(85,608	)		(79,367	)		(74,464	)
	Interest expense			(44,704	)		(46,028	)		(56,417	)
	Amortization of deferred financing costs			(2,573	)		(2,695	)		(2,797	)
	General and administrative			(17,245	)		(16,342	)		(16,100	)
	Investment and development			(1,755	)		(1,317	)		(1,161	)
	Other investment costs			(1,324	)		(1,401	)		(1,435	)
	Severance, impairment and other			(2,417	)		-			-
	Gains on condominium sales activities, net			27,944			36,273			10,514
	Equity in income of unconsolidated real estate entities, net			2,090			7,995			1,001
	Other income (expense), net			(839	)		1,034			619
	Net loss on extinguishment of indebtedness			-			(4,318	)		(6,919	)
	Income from continuing operations			81,122			82,786			24,717
	Income from discontinued operations			29,798			1,505			878
	Net income		$	110,920		$	84,291		$	25,595

Other_Income_Expense

Other Income (Expense)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]	'
Other Income (Expense)	'
	16	OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
	In 2013, 2012 and 2011, other expense included state franchise taxes of $839, $625 and $600, respectively. Franchise taxes are associated with the income-based taxes in Texas that became effective in 2007. In addition, for 2012, other income (expense) included income of $1,554 related to the settlement of construction litigation at one of the Company’s apartment communities, income of $62 from the sale of a technology investment and income of $43 related to receivable recoveries. In 2011, other income (expense) primarily included a state income tax benefit of $470 relating to the true-up of a prior year tax provision, income of $475 related to the sale of a technology investment and income of $274 related to legal settlements and miscellaneous receivable recoveries.

Company_Quarterly_Financial_In

Company Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Company Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	'
	17	COMPANY QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
	Quarterly financial information in 2013 and 2012 was as follows:
			Year ended December 31, 2013
			First			Second			Third			Fourth
	Revenues		$	86,358		$	89,280		$	93,394		$	93,705
	Income from continuing operations			19,957			27,171			18,632			15,362
	Income from discontinued operations			433			443			421			28,501
	Net income			20,390			27,614			19,053			43,863
	Noncontrolling interests			(48	)		(126	)		(80	)		(132	)
	Dividends to preferred shareholders			(922	)		(922	)		(922	)		(922	)
	Net income available to common shareholders		$	19,420		$	26,566		$	18,051		$	42,809
	Earnings per common share:
	Net income available to common shareholders – basic		$	0.36		$	0.49		$	0.33		$	0.79
	Net income available to common shareholders – diluted		$	0.35		$	0.48		$	0.33		$	0.79
			Year ended December 31, 2012
			First			Second			Third			Fourth
	Revenues		$	79,168		$	81,026		$	85,216		$	84,924
	Income from continuing operations			21,504			20,825			21,945			18,512
	Income from discontinued operations			361			345			377			422
	Net income			21,865			21,170			22,322			18,934
	Noncontrolling interests			(65	)		(91	)		(115	)		(81	)
	Dividends to preferred shareholders			(922	)		(922	)		(922	)		(922	)
	Net income available to common shareholders		$	20,878		$	20,157		$	21,285		$	17,931
	Earnings per common share:
	Net income available to common shareholders – basic		$	0.39		$	0.37		$	0.39		$	0.33
	Net income available to common shareholders – diluted		$	0.39		$	0.37		$	0.39		$	0.33
	In the second quarter of 2013, the increase in net income available to common shareholders primarily reflects the timing of condominium sales and gains between periods. In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company recognized a gain in discontinued operations on the sale of an apartment community. In the first quarter of 2012, the Company recognized a gain on the sale of an apartment community held in an unconsolidated entity. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the reduction in net income available to common shareholders primarily resulted from a loss on the early extinguishment of indebtedness.
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]	'
Company Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	'
	18	OPERATING PARTNERSHIP QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
	Quarterly financial information in 2013 and 2012 was as follows:
			Year ended December 31, 2013
			First			Second			Third			Fourth
	Revenues		$	86,358		$	89,280		$	93,394		$	93,705
	Income from continuing operations			19,957			27,171			18,632			15,362
	Income from discontinued operations			433			443			421			28,501
	Net income			20,390			27,614			19,053			43,863
	Noncontrolling interests – consolidated real estate entities			3			(58	)		(32	)		(20	)
	Distributions to preferred unitholders			(922	)		(922	)		(922	)		(922	)
	Net income available to common unitholders		$	19,471		$	26,634		$	18,099		$	42,921
	Earnings per common unit:
	Net income available to common unitholders – basic		$	0.36		$	0.49		$	0.33		$	0.79
	Net income available to common unitholders – diluted		$	0.35		$	0.48		$	0.33		$	0.79
			Year ended December 31, 2012
			First			Second			Third			Fourth
	Revenues		$	79,168		$	81,026		$	85,216		$	84,924
	Income from continuing operations			21,504			20,825			21,945			18,512
	Income from discontinued operations			361			345			377			422
	Net income			21,865			21,170			22,322			18,934
	Noncontrolling interests – consolidated real estate entities			(6	)		(35	)		(55	)		(39	)
	Distributions to preferred unitholders			(922	)		(922	)		(922	)		(922	)
	Net income available to common unitholders		$	20,937		$	20,213		$	21,345		$	17,973
	Earnings per common unit:
	Net income available to common unitholders – basic		$	0.39		$	0.37		$	0.39		$	0.33
	Net income available to common unitholders – diluted		$	0.39		$	0.37		$	0.39		$	0.33
	In the second quarter of 2013, the increase in net income available to common shareholders primarily reflects the timing of condominium sales and gains between periods. In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Operating Partnership recognized a gain in discontinued operations on the sale of an apartment community. In the first quarter of 2012, the Operating Partnership recognized a gain on the sale of an apartment community held in an unconsolidated entity. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the reduction in net income available to common unitholders primarily resulted from a loss on the early extinguishment of indebtedness.

Real_Estate_Investments_and_Ac

Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation	'
	Schedule III
	POST PROPERTIES, INC.
	POST APARTMENT HOMES, L.P.
	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
	December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
									Initial Costs					Costs		Gross Amount at Which
														Capitalized		Carried at Close of Period
														Subsequent
														To
			Description			Related			Land			Building and		Acquisition		Land		Building and			Total (1)			Accumulated		Date of	Date
						Encumbrances						Improvements						Improvements						Depreciation (2)		Construction	Acquired
	Georgia
	Post Alexander™			Apartments		$	-		$	7,392		$	-	$	49,800	$	7,392	$	49,800		$	57,192		$	12,850	6-Apr	N/A
	Post Briarcliff™			Apartments			57,960			13,344			-		51,680		13,344		51,680			65,024			25,395	Dec-96	Sep-96
	Post Brookhaven®			Apartments			-			7,921			-		39,275		7,921		39,275			47,196			25,927	07/89 - 12/92	Mar-89
	Post Chastain®			Apartments			-			6,352			-		62,372		6,779		61,945			68,724			34,039	06/88 - 10/90	Jun-88
	Post Crossing®			Apartments			26,023			3,951			-		23,193		3,951		23,193			27,144			12,653	04/94 - 08/95	Nov-93
	Post Gardens®			Apartments			-			5,859			-		37,142		5,931		37,070			43,001			19,560	Jul-96	May-96
	Post Glen®			Apartments			27,037			5,591			-		24,946		5,784		24,753			30,537			12,801	Jul-96	May-96
	Post Parkside™			Mixed Use			-			3,402			-		22,168		3,465		22,105			25,570			9,573	Feb-99	Dec-97
	Post Peachtree Hills®			Apartments			-			4,215			-		26,852		4,857		26,210			31,067			11,380	02/92 - 09/94	02/92 & 9/92
	Post Riverside®			Mixed Use			-			11,130			-		122,072		12,457		120,745			133,202			59,584	Jul-96	Jan-96
	Post Spring™			Apartments			-			2,105			-		41,715		2,105		41,715			43,820			18,424	Sep-99	Sep-99
	Post Stratford™ (3)			Apartments			-			328			-		29,577		620		29,285			29,905			12,794	Apr-99	Jan-99
	Virginia
	Post Carlyle Square™			Mixed Use			-			5,920			-		136,509		8,474		133,955			142,429			15,805	12/04 - 08/10	N/A
	Post Corners®			Apartments			39,375			4,404			-		27,519		4,493		27,430			31,923			14,013	Jun-94	Jun-94
	Post Pentagon Row™			Mixed Use			-			2,359			7,659		90,462		3,470		97,010			100,480			32,913	Jun-99	Feb-99
	Post Tysons Corner™			Apartments			-			20,000			65,478		10,613		20,000		76,091			96,091			20,785	N/A	4-Jun
	Maryland
	Post Fallsgrove			Apartments			-			14,801			69,179		6,192		14,801		75,371			90,172			15,765	N/A	6-Jul
	Post Park®			Mixed Use			-			8,555			-		75,578		8,555		75,578			84,133			14,613	7-Dec	N/A
	Texas
	Post Abbey™			Apartments		$	-		$	575		$	6,276	$	2,902	$	575	$	9,178		$	9,753		$	3,627	N/A	Oct-97
	Post Addison Circle™			Mixed Use			120,000			2,885			41,482		138,497		8,382		174,482			182,864			79,572	Oct-97	Oct-97
	Post Barton Creek™			Apartments			-			1,920			24,482		4,725		1,920		29,207			31,127			6,417	N/A	6-Mar
	Post Cole’s Corner™			Mixed Use			-			1,886			18,006		4,680		2,086		22,486			24,572			10,902	N/A	Oct-97
	Post Eastside™			Mixed Use			-			5,735			-		53,999		5,735		53,999			59,734			12,425	6-Oct	N/A
	Post Heights™/Gallery			Mixed Use			-			5,455			15,559		44,369		5,812		59,571			65,383			26,355	Oct-97	Oct-97
	Post Katy Trail™			Mixed Use			-			7,324			40,355		389		7,324		40,744			48,068			2,506	N/A	11-Dec
	Post Legacy			Mixed Use			-			684			-		38,086		811		37,959			38,770			14,907	Mar-99	Mar-99
	Post Meridian™			Apartments			-			1,535			11,605		3,058		1,535		14,663			16,198			6,946	N/A	Oct-97
	Post Midtown Square®			Mixed Use			-			6,370			1,412		75,787		5,399		78,170			83,569			24,779	10/97 - 05/11	Oct-97
	Post Park Mesa™			Apartments			-			1,480			17,861		2,684		1,480		20,545			22,025			4,681	N/A	6-Mar
	Post Rice Lofts™ (3)			Mixed Use			-			449			13,393		38,760		449		52,153			52,602			17,788	Oct-97	Oct-97
	Post Sierra at Frisco Bridges™			Mixed Use			-			3,581			-		38,279		3,581		38,279			41,860			7,929	7-Oct	N/A
	Post South Lamar™			Mixed Use			-			4,942			-		35,028		4,942		35,028			39,970			1,906	11-Feb	N/A
	Post Square™			Mixed Use			-			4,565			24,595		5,232		4,565		29,827			34,392			12,023	N/A	Oct-97
	Post Uptown Village™			Apartments			-			3,955			22,120		22,218		6,195		42,098			48,293			17,352	N/A	Oct-97
	Post Vineyard™			Apartments			-			1,133			8,560		1,820		1,133		10,380			11,513			4,186	N/A	Oct-97
	Post Vintage™			Apartments			-			2,614			12,188		2,549		2,614		14,737			17,351			6,619	N/A	Oct-97
	Post West Austin™			Apartments			-			10,865			-		40,510		10,865		40,510			51,375			9,326	8-Feb	N/A
	Post Worthington™			Mixed Use			-			3,744			34,700		19,471		3,744		54,171			57,915			21,273	N/A	Oct-97
	Florida
	Post Bay at Rocky Point™			Apartments			-			528			5,081		21,301		2,400		24,510			26,910			5,203	N/A	6-Oct
	Post Harbour Place™			Mixed Use			-			3,854			-		72,012		8,312		67,554			75,866			30,316	Mar-97	Jan-97
	Post Hyde Park®			Apartments			44,814			3,498			-		46,589		9,680		40,407			50,087			17,076	09/94 - 10/06	Jul-94
	Post Lake at Baldwin Park®			Apartments			-			24,581			56,702		37,794		24,581		94,496			119,077			12,251	11-Jun	7-Jul
	Post Lakeside™			Apartments			-			4,377			43,724		116		4,377		43,840			48,217			836	N/A	13-May
	Post Parkside™			Mixed Use			-			2,493			-		39,065		2,493		39,065			41,558			15,408	Mar-99	Mar-99
	Post Rocky Point®			Apartments			-			10,510			-		76,072		10,567		76,015			86,582			35,428	04/94 - 11/96	02/94 & 09/96
	New York
Post Luminaria™			Mixed Use		$	33,602		$	4,938		$	-	$	43,362	$	4,938	$	43,362		$	48,300		$	16,884	1-Mar	1-Mar
Post Toscana™			Mixed Use			49,923			15,976			-		78,620		17,156		77,440			94,596			21,411	2-Jan	2-Jan
North Carolina
Post Ballantyne			Apartments			-			6,400			30,850		3,709		6,400		34,559			40,959			9,789	4-Nov	5-May
Post Gateway Place™			Mixed Use			-			2,424			-		64,460		3,481		63,403			66,884			24,359	Nov-00	Aug-99
Post Park at Phillips Place®			Mixed Use			-			4,305			-		41,899		4,307		41,897			46,204			21,037	Jan-96	Nov-95
Post Parkside™ at Wade			Mixed Use			-			3,970			-		47,189		3,970		47,189			51,159			987	11-Jun	N/A
Post South End™			Mixed Use			-			7,732			65,803		1,144		7,732		66,947			74,679			2,908	N/A	12-Jul
Post Uptown Place™			Mixed Use			-			2,336			-		30,605		2,363		30,578			32,941			12,088	Sep-98	Sep-98
Miscellaneous Investments (4)						-			79,161			1,304		93,607		80,572		93,500			174,072			26,644
Total					$	398,734		$	376,409		$	638,374	$	2,148,252	$	406,875	$	2,756,160	(5)	$	3,163,035	(5)	$	913,018
-1	The aggregate cost for Federal Income Tax purposes to the Company was approximately $3,026,809 at December 31, 2013, taking into account the special allocation of gain to the partners contributing property to the Operating Partnership.
-2	Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the useful lives of the properties: buildings – 40 years, other building and land improvements – 20 years, and furniture, fixtures and equipment 5-10 years.
-3	The Company has a leasehold interest in the land underlying these communities.
-4	Miscellaneous investments include construction in progress, land held for investment and certain other corporate assets.
-5	This total excludes for-sale condominiums and assets held for sale of $1,122 and $0, respectively, at December 31, 2013.
A summary of activity for real estate investments and accumulated depreciation is as follows:
		2013			2012			2011
Real estate investments
Balance at beginning of year		$	3,011,352		$	2,787,689		$	2,652,630
Improvements			136,966			152,696			87,944
Acquisitions of communities			48,101			73,535			47,679
Asset impairment charges (a)			(400	)		-			-
Disposition of property (b)			(32,984	)		(2,568	)		(564	)
Balance at end of year		$	3,163,035		$	3,011,352		$	2,787,689
Accumulated depreciation
Balance at beginning of year		$	842,925		$	767,017		$	692,514
Depreciation (c)			84,617			78,476			74,678
Accumulated depreciation on disposed property			(14,524	)		(2,568	)		(175	)
Balance at end of year		$	913,018		$	842,925		$	767,017
(a)	Represents reductions in total real estate assets due to non-cash impairment charges recorded in 2013.
(b)	Represents reductions for real estate assets sold and other asset retirements.
(c)	Represents depreciation expense of real estate assets. Amounts exclude depreciation and amortization of lease intangible assets, commercial leasing costs and excess joint venture investments.

Organization_and_Summary_of_Si1

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Organization	'
	Organization
	Post Properties, Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries develop, own and manage upscale multi-family apartment communities in selected markets in the United States. The Company through its wholly-owned subsidiaries is the sole general partner, a limited partner and owns a majority interest in Post Apartment Homes, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), a Georgia limited partnership. The Operating Partnership, through its operating divisions and subsidiaries conducts substantially all of the on-going operations of the Company, a publicly traded corporation which operates as a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”). As used herein, the term “Company” includes Post Properties, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Post Apartment Homes, L.P., unless the context indicates otherwise.
	The Company has elected to qualify and operate as a self-administrated and self-managed REIT for federal income tax purposes. A REIT is a legal entity which holds real estate interests and is generally not subject to federal income tax on the income it distributes to its shareholders. The Operating Partnership is governed under the provisions of a limited partnership agreement, as amended. Under the provisions of the limited partnership agreement, as amended, Operating Partnership net profits, net losses and cash flow (after allocations to preferred ownership interests) are allocated to the partners in proportion to their common ownership interests. Cash distributions from the Operating Partnership shall be, at a minimum, sufficient to enable the Company to satisfy its annual dividend requirements to maintain its REIT status under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
	At December 31, 2013, the Company had interests in 22,516 apartment units in 60 communities, including 1,471 apartment units in four communities held in unconsolidated entities and 1,620 apartment units in five communities currently under development or in lease-up. At December 31, 2013, approximately 30.0%, 22.6%, 14.0% and 10.1% (on a unit basis) of the Company’s operating communities were located in the Atlanta, Georgia, Dallas, Texas, the greater Washington, D.C. and Tampa, Florida metropolitan areas, respectively.
	At December 31, 2013, the Company had outstanding 54,191 shares of common stock and owned the same number of units of common limited partnership interests (“Common Units”) in the Operating Partnership, representing a 99.7% ownership interest in the Operating Partnership. Common Units held by persons other than the Company totaled 135 at December 31, 2013 and represented a 0.3% common minority interest in the Operating Partnership. Each Common Unit may be redeemed by the holder thereof for either one share of Company common stock or cash equal to the fair market value thereof at the time of redemption, at the option, but outside the control, of the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership presently anticipates that it will cause shares of common stock to be issued in connection with each such redemption rather than paying cash (as has been done in all redemptions to date). With each redemption of outstanding Common Units for Company common stock, the Company’s percentage ownership interest in the Operating Partnership will increase. In addition, whenever the Company issues shares of common stock, the Company will contribute any net proceeds therefrom to the Operating Partnership and the Operating Partnership will issue an equivalent number of Common Units to the Company. The Company’s weighted average common ownership interest in the Operating Partnership was 99.7% for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of the Company, the Operating Partnership and their wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company also consolidates other entities in which it has a controlling financial interest or entities where it is determined to be the primary beneficiary under ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation.” Under ASC Topic 810, variable interest entities (“VIEs”) are generally entities that lack sufficient equity to finance their activities without additional financial support from other parties or whose equity holders lack adequate decision making ability. The primary beneficiary is required to consolidate a VIE for financial reporting purposes. The application of ASC Topic 810 requires management to make significant estimates and judgments about the Company’s and its other partners’ rights, obligations and economic interests in such entities. For entities in which the Company has less than a controlling financial interest or entities where it is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary, the entities are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, the Company’s share of the net earnings or losses of
	these entities is included in consolidated net income. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s noncontrolling interest of common unitholders (also referred to as “Redeemable Common Units”) in the operations of the Operating Partnership is calculated based on the weighted average unit ownership during the period.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue recognition
	Residential properties are leased under operating leases with terms of generally one year or less. Rental revenues from residential leases are recognized on the straight-line method over the approximate life of the leases, which is generally one year. The recognition of rental revenues from residential leases when earned has historically not been materially different from rental revenues recognized on a straight-line basis.
	Under the terms of residential leases, the residents of the Company’s residential communities are obligated to reimburse the Company for certain utility usage, water and electricity (at selected properties), where the Company is the primary obligor to the public utility entity. These utility reimbursements from residents are reflected as other property revenues in the consolidated statements of operations.
	Sales and the associated gains or losses of real estate assets and for-sale condominiums are recognized in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 360-20, “Property, Plant and Equipment – Real Estate Sales.” The Company accounts for each condominium project under either the “Deposit Method” or the “Percentage of Completion Method,” based on a specific evaluation of the factors specified in ASC Topic 360-20. The factors used to determine the appropriate accounting method are the legal commitment of the purchaser in the real estate contract, whether the construction of the project is beyond a preliminary phase, whether sufficient units have been contracted to ensure the project will not revert to a rental project, the ability to reasonably estimate the aggregate project sale proceeds and aggregate project costs and the determination that the buyer has made an adequate initial and continuing cash investment under the contract in accordance with ASC Topic 360-20. For all years presented, all condominium communities are accounted for under the Deposit Method. In periods prior to and including 2013, under ASC Topic 360-20, the Company used the relative sales value method to allocate costs and recognize profits from condominium sales. Under the relative sales value method, estimates of aggregate project revenues and aggregate project costs were used to determine the allocation of project cost of sales and the resulting profit in each accounting period. In subsequent periods, cumulative project cost of sale allocations and the resulting profits were adjusted to reflect changes in the actual and estimated costs and revenues of each project.
Cost Capitalization	'
	Cost capitalization
	The Company capitalizes those expenditures relating to the acquisition of new assets and the development and construction of new apartment communities. In addition, the Company capitalizes expenditures that enhance the value of existing assets and expenditures that substantially extend the life of existing assets. Annually recurring capital expenditures are expenditures of a type that are expected to be incurred on an annual basis during the life of an apartment community, such as carpet, appliances and flooring. Periodically recurring capital expenditures are expenditures that generally occur less frequently than on an annual basis, such as major exterior projects relating to landscaping and structural improvements. Revenue generating capital expenditures are expenditures for the rehabilitation of communities and other property upgrade costs that enhance the rental value of such communities. All other expenditures necessary to maintain a community in ordinary operating condition are expensed as incurred. Additionally, for new development communities, carpet, vinyl, and blind replacements are expensed as incurred during the first five years (which corresponds to their estimated depreciable life). Thereafter, these replacements are capitalized and depreciated. The Company expenses as incurred interior and exterior painting of its operating communities, unless those communities are under rehabilitation or major remediation.
	For communities under development or rehabilitation, the Company capitalizes interest, real estate taxes, and certain internal personnel and associated costs associated with the development and construction activity. Interest is capitalized to projects under development or construction based upon the weighted average cumulative project costs for each month multiplied by the Company’s weighted average borrowing costs, expressed as a percentage. Weighted average borrowing costs include the costs of the Company’s fixed rate secured and unsecured borrowings and the variable rate unsecured borrowings under its line of credit facilities. The weighted average borrowing costs, expressed as a percentage, were 4.6%, 5.4% and 6.0% for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Internal development and construction personnel and associated costs are capitalized to projects under development or construction based upon the effort associated with such projects. Aggregate internal development and construction personnel and associated costs capitalized to projects under development or construction were $2,900, $3,755 and $2,854 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company treats each unit in an apartment community separately for cost accumulation, capitalization and expense recognition purposes. Prior to the completion of rental units, interest and other construction costs are capitalized and reflected on the balance sheet as construction in progress. The Company ceases the capitalization of such costs as the residential units in a community become substantially complete and available for occupancy or sale. This results in a proration of costs between amounts that are capitalized and expensed as the residential units in apartment development communities become available for occupancy. In addition, prior to the completion of rental units, the Company expenses as incurred substantially all operating expenses (including pre-opening marketing as well as property management and leasing personnel expenses) of such rental communities.
	For cash flow statement purposes, the Company classifies capital expenditures for developed condominium communities in investing activities in the caption titled, “Development and construction of real estate assets.” Likewise, the proceeds from the sales of such condominiums are included in investing activities in the caption titled, “Proceeds from the sale of real estate assets.”
Real Estate Assets, Depreciation and Impairment	'
	Real estate assets, depreciation and impairment
	Real estate assets are stated at the lower of depreciated cost or fair value, if deemed impaired. Major replacements and betterments are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the useful lives of the properties (buildings and components – 40 years; other building and land improvements – 20 years; furniture, fixtures and equipment – 5-10 years).
	The Company continually evaluates the recoverability of the carrying value of its real estate assets using the methodology prescribed in ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment.” Factors considered by management in evaluating impairment of its existing real estate assets held for investment include significant declines in property operating profits, annually recurring property operating losses and other significant adverse changes in general market conditions that are considered permanent in nature. Under ASC Topic 360, a real estate asset held for investment is not considered impaired if the undiscounted, estimated future cash flows of an asset (both the annual estimated cash flow from future operations and the estimated cash flow from the theoretical sale of the asset) over its estimated holding period are in excess of the asset’s net book value at the balance sheet date. If any real estate asset held for investment is considered impaired, a loss is provided to reduce the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value. In addition, for-sale condominium units completed and ready for their intended use are evaluated for impairment using the methodology for assets held for sale (using discounted projected future cash flows).
	The Company periodically classifies real estate assets as held for sale. An asset is classified as held for sale after the approval of the Company’s board of directors and after an active program to sell the asset has commenced. Upon the classification of a real estate asset as held for sale, the carrying value of the asset is reduced to the lower of its net book value or its estimated fair value, less costs to sell the asset. Subsequent to the classification of assets as held for sale, no further depreciation expense is recorded. Real estate assets held for sale are stated separately on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Upon a decision to no longer market an asset for sale, the asset is classified as an operating asset and depreciation expense is reinstated. As of December 31, 2013, there were no real estate assets held for sale.
	For condominium communities, the operating results and associated gains and losses are reflected on the consolidated statement of operations in the caption titles “Net gains on condominium sales activities” (see discussion under “revenue recognition” above), and the net book value of the condominium assets is reflected separately on the consolidated balance sheet in the caption titled, “For-sale condominiums.”
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair value measurements
	The Company applies the guidance in ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” to the valuation of real estate assets recorded at fair value, if any, to its impairment valuation analysis of real estate assets, to its disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments, principally indebtedness and to its derivative financial instruments. Fair value disclosures required under ASC Topic 820 are summarized in note 14 utilizing the following hierarchy:
		•		Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement date.
		•		Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
		•		Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the assets or liability.
Apartment Community Acquisitions	'
	Apartment community acquisitions
	The Company accounts for its apartment community acquisitions in accordance with ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” In accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 805, the aggregate purchase price of apartment community acquisitions is allocated to the tangible assets and liabilities (including mortgage indebtedness, if any) as well as the intangible assets acquired in each transaction based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. In determining the acquisition date fair value of the component assets and liabilities, the Company uses independent market data, internal analysis of comparable communities, relevant historical data from the acquired community as well as other market data. The acquired tangible assets, principally land, building and improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment are reflected in real estate assets, and such assets, excluding land, are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. The acquired intangible assets, principally the value of above/below market leases and the value of in-place leases are reflected in other assets and amortized over the average remaining lease terms of the acquired leases (generally 6 to 12 months for residential leases and 5 to 10 years for retail leases). The legal, professional and other expenses associated with acquisition related activities are expensed as incurred.
Stock-based Compensation	'
	Stock-based compensation
	The Company accounts for stock-based compensation under the fair value method prescribed by ASC Topic 505, “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees,” and ASC Topic 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation.” This guidance requires the Company to expense the fair value of employee stock options and other forms of stock-based compensation.
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	Derivative financial instruments
	The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments at fair value under the provisions of ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.” In conjunction with its implementation of updates to the fair value measurements guidance, the Company made an accounting policy election as of January 1, 2012 to measure derivative financial instruments subject to master netting agreements on a net basis. The Company uses derivative financial instruments, primarily interest rate swap arrangements to manage or hedge its exposure to interest rate changes. Under ASC Topic 815, derivative instruments qualifying as hedges of specific cash flows are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value with an offsetting increase or decrease to accumulated other comprehensive income, an equity account, until the hedged transactions are recognized in earnings. Quarterly, the Company evaluates the effectiveness of its cash flow hedges. Any ineffective portion of cash flow hedges are recognized immediately in earnings.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and cash equivalents
	All investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash	'
	Restricted cash
	Restricted cash is generally comprised of resident security deposits for apartment communities located in Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and New York and certain escrow deposits associated with the Company’s for-sale condominium business.
Deferred Financing Costs	'
	Deferred financing costs
	Deferred financing costs are amortized using the straight-line method, which approximates the interest method, over the terms of the related indebtedness.
Per Share and Per Unit Data	'
	Per share and per unit data
	The Company and Operating Partnership report both basic and diluted earnings per share and per unit, respectively, as prescribed by ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” The guidance also requires entities with participating securities that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends, like the Company’s unvested share-based payment awards (see notes 6 and 7), to use the two-class method for computing basic and dilutive earnings per share and unit. Under the two-class method earnings are allocated to each class of common stock and to participating securities according to the dividends paid or declared and the relative participation of such securities to remaining undistributed earnings.
	Basic earnings per common share and earnings per common unit are computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders or unitholders by the weighted average number of common shares or units outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common unit are computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders or unitholders by the weighted average number of common shares or units and common share or unit equivalents outstanding during the year, which are computed using the treasury stock method for outstanding stock options. Common share and unit equivalents are excluded from the computations in years in which they have an anti-dilutive effect. The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share and basic and diluted earnings per common unit for income from continuing operations is detailed in notes 6 and 7 for the Company and the Operating Partnership, respectively.
Noncontrolling Interests	'
	Noncontrolling interests
	The Company accounts for noncontrolling interests in accordance with ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation.” ASC Topic 810, in conjunction with other existing GAAP, established criterion used to evaluate the characteristics of noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities to determine whether noncontrolling interests are classified and accounted for as permanent equity or “temporary” equity (presented between liabilities and permanent equity on the consolidated balance sheet). ASC Topic 810 also clarified the treatment of noncontrolling interests with redemption provisions. If a noncontrolling interest has a redemption feature that permits the issuer to settle in either cash or common shares at the option of the issuer but the equity settlement feature is deemed to be outside of the control of the issuer, then those noncontrolling interests are classified as “temporary” equity. The Company currently has two types of noncontrolling interests, (1) noncontrolling interests related to the common unitholders of its Operating Partnership (see note 5) and (2) noncontrolling interests related to its consolidated real estate entities.
	The Company accounts for the redemption of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership in exchange for shares of company common stock at fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 810. These transactions result in a reduction in the noncontrolling interest of common unitholders in the Operating Partnership and a corresponding increase in equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at the date of conversion. In accordance with guidance in ASC Topic 810 the noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership is carried at the greater of its redemption value or net book value.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	'
	Supplemental cash flow information
	Supplemental cash flow information for 2013, 2012 and 2011 was as follows:
			Year ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
	Interest paid, including interest capitalized		$	49,519		$	51,417		$	60,447
	Income tax payments, net			1,192			3			386
	Non-cash investing and financing activities:
	Dividends and distributions payable			17,928			13,653			11,692
	Conversions of redeemable common units			354			591			547
	Common stock 401k matching contribution			670			639			655
	Construction and property capital expenditure cost accruals, increase (decrease)			(8,435	)		7,422			1,475
	Adjustments to equity related to redeemable common units, net increase (decrease)			819			(850	)		(1,270	)

Organization_and_Summary_of_Si2

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	'
	Supplemental cash flow information for 2013, 2012 and 2011 was as follows:
		Year ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Interest paid, including interest capitalized	$	49,519		$	51,417		$	60,447
	Income tax payments, net		1,192			3			386
	Non-cash investing and financing activities:
	Dividends and distributions payable		17,928			13,653			11,692
	Conversions of redeemable common units		354			591			547
	Common stock 401k matching contribution		670			639			655
	Construction and property capital expenditure cost accruals, increase (decrease)		(8,435	)		7,422			1,475
	Adjustments to equity related to redeemable common units, net increase (decrease)		819			(850	)		(1,270	)

Real_Estate_Activities_Tables

Real Estate Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Real Estate [Abstract]	'
Summary of Revenues and Expenses of Income from Discontinued Operations	'
	The revenues and expenses for this community in 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:
		Year ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Revenues
	Rental	$	3,557		$	4,155		$	3,934
	Other property revenues		356			422			379
	Total revenues		3,913			4,577			4,313
	Expenses
	Property operating and maintenance		1,679			1,903			2,262
	Depreciation		527			778			799
	Interest		289			391			374
	Total expenses		2,495			3,072			3,435
	Income from discontinued property operations	$	1,418		$	1,505		$	878
Revenues Costs and Expenses Associated with Consolidated Condominium Activities	'
	The revenues, costs and expenses associated with consolidated condominium activities included in continuing operations in 2013, 2012 and 2011 was as follows:
		Year ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Condominium revenues	$	68,168		$	89,698		$	57,944
	Condominium costs and expenses		(40,224	)		(54,037	)		(48,407	)
	Net gains on sales of residential condominiums, before income tax		27,944			35,661			9,537
	Net gain on sale of retail condominium, before income tax		-			-			977
	Income tax benefit		-			612			-
	Net gains on sales of condominiums	$	27,944		$	36,273		$	10,514

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_1

Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Entities (Tables) (Unconsolidated Properties [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Unconsolidated Properties [Member]	'
Summary of Financial Information for Apartment LLCs	'
	A summary of financial information for the Apartment LLCs in the aggregate is as follows:
			December 31,
	Apartment LLCs - Balance Sheet Data		2013			2012
	Real estate assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $43,649 and
	$38,332 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively		$	209,132		$	212,877
	Cash and other			4,978			5,103
	Total assets		$	214,110		$	217,980
	Mortgage notes payable		$	177,723		$	177,723
	Other liabilities			2,673			2,588
	Total liabilities			180,396			180,311
	Members’ equity			33,714			37,669
	Total liabilities and members’ equity		$	214,110		$	217,980
	Company’s equity investment in Apartment LLCs (1)		$	(12,631	)	$	(11,764	)
	-1	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s equity investment includes its credit investments of $16,687 and $16,297, respectively, discussed above.
Schedule of Operation for Apartment LLCs	'
			Year ended December 31,
	Apartment LLCs - Income Statement Data		2013			2012			2011
	Revenues
	Rental		$	25,692		$	24,659		$	23,504
	Other property revenues			1,881			1,844			1,823
	Total revenues			27,573			26,503			25,327
	Expenses
	Property operating and maintenance			10,955			10,541			9,896
	Depreciation and amortization			5,421			5,768			5,934
	Interest			9,052			9,181			10,247
	Total expenses			25,428			25,490			26,077
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations			2,145			1,013			(750	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations			-			21,667			(151	)
	Net income		$	2,145		$	22,680		$	(901	)
	Company’s share of net income in Apartment LLCs		$	2,090		$	7,995		$	1,001

Indebtedness_Tables

Indebtedness (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Indebtedness	'
	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s indebtedness consisted of the following:
			Payment				Maturity			December 31,
	Description		Terms		Interest Rate		Date			2013		2012
	Senior Unsecured Notes		Int.			3.375% - 4.75%		2017-2022	(1)	$	400,000	$	400,000
	Unsecured Bank Term Loan		Int.			LIBOR + 1.70% (2)		2018			300,000		300,000
	Unsecured Revolving Lines of Credit		Int.			LIBOR + 1.225% (3)		2016			-		-
	Secured Mortgage Notes		Prin. and Int.			4.88% - 5.99%		2015-2019	(4)		398,734		402,464
	Total									$	1,098,734	$	1,102,464
	-1	There are no maturities of senior unsecured notes in 2014. The outstanding unsecured notes mature in 2017 and 2022.
	-2	Represents stated rate at December 31, 2013. As discussed below, the Company has entered into interest rate swap arrangements that effectively fix the interest rate under this facility. At December 31, 2013, the effective blended interest rate under the Term Loan was 3.24%.
	-3	Represents stated rate at December 31, 2013.
	-4	There are no maturities of secured notes in 2014.
Schedule of Aggregate Maturities of Indebtedness	'
	The aggregate maturities of the Company’s indebtedness are as follows:
	2014		$	3,961
	2015			124,205
	2016			4,418
	2017			154,736
	2018			350,958
	Thereafter			460,456
			$	1,098,734

Equity_and_Noncontrolling_Inte1

Equity and Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock	'
	Preferred stock
	At December 31, 2013, the Company had one outstanding series of cumulative redeemable preferred stock with the following characteristics:
	Description		Outstanding			Liquidation			Optional			Redemption		Stated			Approximate
			Shares			Preference			Redemption			Price(1)		Dividend			Dividend
									Date (1)					Yield			Rate
						(per share)						(per share)					(per share)
	Series A			868		$	50			10/1/26		$	50		8/1/02	%	$	4.25
	(1)    The	redemption price is the price at which the preferred stock is redeemable, at the Company’s option, for cash.
Schedule of Redeemable Common Units	'
	A roll-forward of activity relating to the Company’s redeemable common units for 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
			Year ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
	Redeemable common units, beginning of period		$	7,159		$	6,840		$	6,192
	Comprehensive income			301			194			54
	Conversion of redeemable common units for shares			(354	)		(591	)		(547	)
	Adjustment for ownership interest of redeemable common units			192			416			466
	Stock-based compensation			9			7			7
	Distributions to common unitholders			(175	)		(141	)		(136	)
	Adjustment to redemption value of redeemable common units			(1,011	)		434			804
	Redeemable common units, end of period		$	6,121		$	7,159		$	6,840

Company_Earnings_Per_Share_Tab

Company Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share	'
	In 2013, 2012 and 2011, a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the computation of basic and diluted income from continuing operations available to common shareholders of the Company was as follows:
		Year ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders (numerator):
	Income from continuing operations	$	81,122		$	82,786		$	24,717
	Noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities		(107	)		(135	)		(67	)
	Noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership		(202	)		(213	)		(59	)
	Preferred stock dividends		(3,688	)		(3,688	)		(4,455	)
	Preferred stock redemption costs		-			-			(1,757	)
	Unvested restricted stock (allocation of earnings)		(170	)		(183	)		(57	)
	Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders	$	76,955		$	78,567		$	18,322
	Common shares (denominator):
	Weighted average shares outstanding - basic		54,336			53,821			50,420
	Dilutive shares from stock options		172			310			388
	Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted		54,508			54,131			50,808
	Per-share amount:
	Basic	$	1.42		$	1.46		$	0.36
	Diluted	$	1.41		$	1.45		$	0.36
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]	'
Schedule of Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share	'
	In 2013, 2012 and 2011, a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the computation of basic and diluted income from continuing operations available to common unitholders of the Operating Partnership was as follows:
		Year ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Income from continuing operations available to common unitholders (numerator):
	Income from continuing operations	$	81,122		$	82,786		$	24,717
	Noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities		(107	)		(135	)		(67	)
	Preferred unit distributions		(3,688	)		(3,688	)		(4,455	)
	Preferred unit redemption costs		-			-			(1,757	)
	Unvested restricted stock (allocation of earnings)		(170	)		(183	)		(57	)
	Income from continuing operations available to common unitholders	$	77,157		$	78,780		$	18,381
	Common units (denominator):
	Weighted average units outstanding - basic		54,478			53,968			50,584
	Dilutive units from stock options		172			310			388
	Weighted average units outstanding - diluted		54,650			54,278			50,972
	Per-unit amount:
	Basic	$	1.42		$	1.46		$	0.36
	Diluted	$	1.41		$	1.45		$	0.36

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Net Income to Taxable Income	'
	A reconciliation of net income available to the Company to taxable income for 2013, 2012 and 2011 is detailed below:
			2013			2012			2011
			(Estimate)			(Actual)			(Actual)
	Net income available to the Company		$	110,534		$	83,939		$	25,466
	Add (subtract) net loss (income) of taxable REIT subsidiaries			(26,842	)		(33,956	)		(739	)
	Adjusted net income available to the Company			83,692			49,983			24,727
	Book/tax depreciation difference			(3,770	)		(2,611	)		(3,863	)
	Book/tax difference on gains from real estate sales			(28,306	)		1,804			-
	Book/tax difference on stock-based compensation			(1,810	)		(15,706	)		(5,108	)
	Other book/tax differences, net			6,068			(1,267	)		(3,761	)
	Taxable income of the Company before allocation of taxable capital gains			55,874			32,203			11,995
	Income taxable as capital gains			-			(7,843	)		-
	Taxable ordinary income of the Company		$	55,874		$	24,360		$	11,995
Income Tax Characterization of Dividends	'
	A summary of the income tax characterization of the Company’s dividends paid per common share is as follows for 2013, 2012 and 2011:
			2013						2012						2011
			Amount (1)			% (1)			Amount (1)			% (1)			Amount (1)		% (1)
	Ordinary income		$	1.15			99.4	%	$	0.53			56.6	%	$	0.23		28	%
	Capital gains			0.01			0.6			0.07			7			-		-
	Unrecaptured Section 1250 gains			-			-			0.06			6.9			-		-
	Return of capital			-			-			0.28			29.5			0.59		72
			$	1.16			100	%	$	0.94			100	%	$	0.82		100	%
	-1	The amounts and percentages detailed in the table above represent average amounts for the years presented. Actual quarterly amounts may differ.

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_

Stock-Based Compensation Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Assumptions Used in Black-Scholes Option-Pricing Model	'
	The weighted average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model are as follows:
			Year ended December 31,
			2013			2012		2011
	Dividend yield			2.00%			2.00%		2.2	%
	Expected volatility			43.10%			43.30%		42.4	%
	Risk-free interest rate			1.10%			1.10%		2.7	%
	Expected option term (years)			6.0 years			6.0 years		6.0 years
Summary of Activity Related to Company's Restricted Stock	'
	A summary of the activity related to the Company’s restricted stock for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
			Year ended December 31,
			2013					2012					2011
			Shares			Weighted-Avg.		Shares			Weighted-Avg.		Shares			Weighted-Avg.
						Grant-Date					Grant-Date					Grant-Date
						Fair Value					Fair Value					Fair Value
	Unvested shares, beginning of period			65		$	42		84		$	29		129		$	19
	Granted (1)			75			50		59			45		52			38
	Vested			(64	)		44		(78	)		30		(97	)		21
	Forfeited			(1	)		50		-			-		-			-
	Unvested shares, end of period			75			48		65			42		84			29
	-1	The total value of the restricted share grants in 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $3,743, $2,657 and $2,012, respectively.
Summary of Stock Option Activity Under All Plans	'
	A summary of stock option activity under all plans in 2013, 2012 and 2011, is presented below:
			Year ended December 31,
			2013					2012					2011
			Shares			Exercise Price		Shares			Exercise Price		Shares			Exercise Price
	Options outstanding, beginning of period			685		$	34		1,501		$	31		2,068		$	31
	Granted			29			50		29			44		25			37
	Exercised			(174	)		29		(845	)		30		(582	)		30
	Forfeited			(1	)		50		-			-		-			-
	Expired			-			-		-			-		(10	)		39
	Options outstanding, end of period (1)			539			36		685			34		1,501			31
	Options exercisable, end of period (1)			486			35		617			34		1,348			33
	Options vested and expected to vest, end of period (1)			536			36		682			34		1,494			31
	Weighted average fair value of options granted during the period		$	17.26				$	15.18				$	13.18
	-1	At December 31, 2013, the aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding, exercisable and vested/expected to vest was $5,418, $5,333 and $5,413, respectively. At that same date, the weighted average remaining contractual lives of stock options outstanding, exercisable and vested/expected to vest was 3.7 years, 3.2 years and 3.7 years, respectively.
Schedule of Outstanding Options into Two Ranges, Based on Exercise Prices	'
	At December 31, 2013, the Company segregated its outstanding options into two ranges, based on exercise prices, as follows:
	Option Ranges		Options Outsanding								Options Exercisable
			Shares			Weighted Avg.		Weighted Avg. Life			Shares		Weighted Avg.
						Exercise Price		(Years)					Exercise Price
	$12.22 - $39.95			217		$	23		4			208	$	23
	$40.15 - $50.30			322			45		3.6			278		44
	Total			539			36		3.7			486		35

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Future Minimum Lease Payments	'
	Future minimum lease payments for non-cancelable land, office, equipment and other leases at December 31, 2013, were as follows:
	2014	$	665
	2015		652
	2016		650
	2017		652
	2018		652
	2019 and thereafter		65,169

Fair_Value_Measures_and_Financ1

Fair Value Measures and Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Effect of Interest Rate Swaps Designated as Cash Flow Hedges	'
	The following table summarizes the effect of these Interest Rate Swaps (designated as cash flow hedges) on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for 2013 and 2012:
		Year ended December 31,
	Interest Rate Swap / Cash Flow Hedging Instruments	2013			2012			2011
	Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income	$	4,191		$	(11,804)		$	-
	Loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into interest expense	$	(4,091	)	$	(2,735	)	$	-

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment's Contribution to Consolidated Revenues and Net Operating Income	'
	The following table reflects each segment’s contribution to consolidated revenues and NOI together with a reconciliation of segment contribution to property NOI to consolidated net income in 2013, 2012 and 2011. Additionally, substantially all of the Company’s assets relate to the Company’s property rental operations. Asset cost, depreciation and amortization by segment are not presented because such information at the segment level is not reported internally.
		Year ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Revenues
	Fully stabilized communities	$	313,412		$	301,899		$	278,180
	Lease-up communities		16,765			1,779			-
	Acquired communities		8,708			2,757			-
	Other property segments		22,980			23,049			21,905
	Other		872			850			918
	Consolidated revenues	$	362,737		$	330,334		$	301,003
	Contribution to Property Net Operating Income
	Fully stabilized communities	$	192,263		$	186,008		$	169,518
	Lease-up communities		8,640			(5	)		-
	Acquired communities		5,721			1,868			-
	Other property segments, including corporate management expenses		(20	)		(162	)		419
	Consolidated property net operating income		206,604			187,709			169,937
	Interest income		77			393			1,021
	Other revenues		872			850			918
	Depreciation		(85,608	)		(79,367	)		(74,464	)
	Interest expense		(44,704	)		(46,028	)		(56,417	)
	Amortization of deferred financing costs		(2,573	)		(2,695	)		(2,797	)
	General and administrative		(17,245	)		(16,342	)		(16,100	)
	Investment and development		(1,755	)		(1,317	)		(1,161	)
	Other investment costs		(1,324	)		(1,401	)		(1,435	)
	Severance, impairment and other		(2,417	)		-			-
	Gains on condominium sales activities, net		27,944			36,273			10,514
	Equity in income of unconsolidated real estate entities, net		2,090			7,995			1,001
	Other income (expense), net		(839	)		1,034			619
	Net loss on extinguishment of indebtedness		-			(4,318	)		(6,919	)
	Income from continuing operations		81,122			82,786			24,717
	Income from discontinued operations		29,798			1,505			878
	Net income	$	110,920		$	84,291		$	25,595

Company_Quarterly_Financial_In1

Company Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Company Quarterly Financial Information	'
	Quarterly financial information in 2013 and 2012 was as follows:
		Year ended December 31, 2013
		First			Second			Third			Fourth
	Revenues	$	86,358		$	89,280		$	93,394		$	93,705
	Income from continuing operations		19,957			27,171			18,632			15,362
	Income from discontinued operations		433			443			421			28,501
	Net income		20,390			27,614			19,053			43,863
	Noncontrolling interests		(48	)		(126	)		(80	)		(132	)
	Dividends to preferred shareholders		(922	)		(922	)		(922	)		(922	)
	Net income available to common shareholders	$	19,420		$	26,566		$	18,051		$	42,809
	Earnings per common share:
	Net income available to common shareholders – basic	$	0.36		$	0.49		$	0.33		$	0.79
	Net income available to common shareholders – diluted	$	0.35		$	0.48		$	0.33		$	0.79
		Year ended December 31, 2012
		First			Second			Third			Fourth
	Revenues	$	79,168		$	81,026		$	85,216		$	84,924
	Income from continuing operations		21,504			20,825			21,945			18,512
	Income from discontinued operations		361			345			377			422
	Net income		21,865			21,170			22,322			18,934
	Noncontrolling interests		(65	)		(91	)		(115	)		(81	)
	Dividends to preferred shareholders		(922	)		(922	)		(922	)		(922	)
	Net income available to common shareholders	$	20,878		$	20,157		$	21,285		$	17,931
	Earnings per common share:
	Net income available to common shareholders – basic	$	0.39		$	0.37		$	0.39		$	0.33
	Net income available to common shareholders – diluted	$	0.39		$	0.37		$	0.39		$	0.33
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]	'
Schedule of Company Quarterly Financial Information	'
	Quarterly financial information in 2013 and 2012 was as follows:
		Year ended December 31, 2013
		First			Second			Third			Fourth
	Revenues	$	86,358		$	89,280		$	93,394		$	93,705
	Income from continuing operations		19,957			27,171			18,632			15,362
	Income from discontinued operations		433			443			421			28,501
	Net income		20,390			27,614			19,053			43,863
	Noncontrolling interests – consolidated real estate entities		3			(58	)		(32	)		(20	)
	Distributions to preferred unitholders		(922	)		(922	)		(922	)		(922	)
	Net income available to common unitholders	$	19,471		$	26,634		$	18,099		$	42,921
	Earnings per common unit:
	Net income available to common unitholders – basic	$	0.36		$	0.49		$	0.33		$	0.79
	Net income available to common unitholders – diluted	$	0.35		$	0.48		$	0.33		$	0.79
		Year ended December 31, 2012
		First			Second			Third			Fourth
	Revenues	$	79,168		$	81,026		$	85,216		$	84,924
	Income from continuing operations		21,504			20,825			21,945			18,512
	Income from discontinued operations		361			345			377			422
	Net income		21,865			21,170			22,322			18,934
	Noncontrolling interests – consolidated real estate entities		(6	)		(35	)		(55	)		(39	)
	Distributions to preferred unitholders		(922	)		(922	)		(922	)		(922	)
	Net income available to common unitholders	$	20,937		$	20,213		$	21,345		$	17,973
	Earnings per common unit:
	Net income available to common unitholders – basic	$	0.39		$	0.37		$	0.39		$	0.33
	Net income available to common unitholders – diluted	$	0.39		$	0.37		$	0.39		$	0.33

Organization_and_Summary_of_Si3

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Property
	Apartment
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of units in real estate property	22,516	'	'
Number of real estate properties	60	'	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	54,191,000	54,470,000	'
Common units, shares outstanding	54,191,000	'	'
Ownership interest percentage in Operating Partnership	99.70%	99.70%	99.70%
Common units held by persons other than the Company	135,000	'	'
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners	0.30%	'	'
Number of shares for redemption of each common unit	1	'	'
Operating leases term (in years)	'1 year	'	'
Revenue recognized lease (in years)	'1 year	'	'
Development or construction costs	$2,900	$3,755	$2,854
Investment maturity period maximum (in months)	'P3M	'	'
Atlanta, Georgia [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration of location for communities, percentage	30.00%	'	'
Dallas, Texas [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration of location for communities, percentage	22.60%	'	'
Washington, D.C [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration of location for communities, percentage	14.00%	'	'
Tampa, Florida [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration of location for communities, percentage	10.10%	'	'
Buildings and Components [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful life (in years)	'40 years	'	'
Other Building and Land Improvements [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful life (in years)	'20 years	'	'
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful life (in years)	'5 years	'	'
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful life (in years)	'10 years	'	'
Held for Sale [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of real estate properties	0	'	'
Residential Leases [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Average remaining lease term	'6 months	'	'
Residential Leases [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Average remaining lease term	'12 months	'	'
Retail Leases [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Average remaining lease term	'5 years	'	'
Retail Leases [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Average remaining lease term	'10 years	'	'
Cost Capitalization [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted average borrowing costs, percentage	4.60%	5.40%	6.00%
Unconsolidated Properties [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of units in real estate property	1,471	'	'
Number of real estate properties	4	'	'
Unconsolidated Properties [Member] | Atlanta, Georgia [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of real estate properties	3	'	'
Under Development [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of units in real estate property	1,620	'	'
Number of real estate properties	5	'	'

Organization_and_Summary_of_Si4

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'	'
Interest paid, including interest capitalized	$49,519	$51,417	$60,447
Income tax payments, net	1,192	3	386
Non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'	'
Dividends and distributions payable	17,928	13,653	11,692
Conversions of redeemable common units	354	591	547
Common stock 401k matching contribution	670	639	655
Construction and property capital expenditure cost accruals, increase (decrease)	-8,435	7,422	1,475
Adjustments to equity related to redeemable common units, net increase (decrease)	$819	($850)	($1,270)

Real_Estate_Activities_Additio

Real Estate Activities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				1 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Jul. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013
	Home	Home	Home	Discontinued Operations [Member]	Post Lakeside [Member]	Post South End [Member]	For-Sale Condominium Homes [Member]
	Apartment			Apartment	Apartment	sqft	Property
	Property					Apartment
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of units in real estate property	22,516	'	'	342	300	360	'
Purchase price	'	'	'	'	$48,500	$74,000	'
Purchase price allocation, land	'	'	'	'	-4,377	-7,732	'
Purchase price allocation, building, improvements and equipment	'	'	'	'	-43,724	-65,521	'
Purchase price allocation, identified lease related intangible assets	'	'	'	'	-399	-451	'
Square feet of retail space	'	'	'	'	'	7,612	'
Purchase price allocation, other assets	'	'	'	'	'	-296	'
Gains on sales of real estate assets	28,380	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net proceeds from sale of building	47,500	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of real estate properties	60	'	'	'	'	'	1
Aggregate carrying value of condominium units	1,122	23,281	'	'	'	'	'
Condominium homes sold	62	96	58	'	'	'	'
Net gains on condominium sales activities	'	'	977	'	'	'	'
Income tax benefit	'	$612	'	'	'	'	'

Real_Estate_Activities_Summary

Real Estate Activities - Summary of Revenues and Expenses of Income from Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues	'	'	'
Rental	$3,557	$4,155	$3,934
Other property revenues	356	422	379
Total revenues	3,913	4,577	4,313
Expenses	'	'	'
Property operating and maintenance	1,679	1,903	2,262
Depreciation	527	778	799
Interest	289	391	374
Total expenses	2,495	3,072	3,435
Income from discontinued property operations	$1,418	$1,505	$878

Real_Estate_Activities_Revenue

Real Estate Activities - Revenues Costs and Expenses Associated with Consolidated Condominium Activities (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Real Estate [Abstract]	'	'	'
Condominium revenues	$68,168	$89,698	$57,944
Condominium costs and expenses	-40,224	-54,037	-48,407
Net gains on sales of residential condominiums, before income tax	27,944	35,661	9,537
Net gain on sale of retail condominium, before income tax	'	'	977
Income tax benefit	'	612	'
Net gains on sales of condominiums	$27,944	$36,273	$10,514

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_2

Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Entities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Feb. 29, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Property

Unconsolidated Properties [Member]

Unconsolidated Properties [Member]

Unconsolidated Properties [Member]

Unconsolidated Properties [Member]

Unconsolidated Properties [Member]

3.50% Mortgage Note Payable [Member]

5.63% Mortgage Notes Payable [Member]

5.71% Mortgage Notes Payable [Member]

Atlanta, Georgia [Member]

Washington, D.C. [Member]

Unconsolidated Property Sold [Member]

Unconsolidated Property Sold [Member]

Property

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Unconsolidated Properties [Member]

Unconsolidated Properties [Member]

Property

Property

Real Estate Properties [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity method investment, ownership percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

25.00%

35.00%

'

'

'

'

'

35.00%

'

Number of real estate properties

60

'

'

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

1

'

'

Investment in owned subsidiaries

$4,056

$4,533

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investments in unconsolidated real estate entities

16,687

16,297

'

16,687

16,297

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investment over equity underlying net assets

'

'

'

2,738

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net proceeds from sale of entire community

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,500

'

Mortgage note payable

'

'

'

177,723

177,723

'

'

'

51,000

85,724

41,000

'

'

29,272

'

Equity in income of unconsolidated real estate entities, net

$2,090

$7,995

$1,001

$2,090

$7,995

$1,001

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$6,055

Mortgage notes payable bearing interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.50%

5.63%

5.71%

'

'

'

'

Automatic extension period (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

Mortgage note payable maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2019

'2017

'January 2018

'

'

'

'

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_3

Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Entities - Summary of Financial Information for Apartment LLCs (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Real estate assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $43,649 and $38,332 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively	$2,251,139	$2,191,708	'	'
Total assets	2,381,677	2,363,364	'	'
Total liabilities	1,222,825	1,236,585	'	'
Members' equity	1,152,731	1,119,620	1,047,523	967,295
Total liabilities and equity	2,381,677	2,363,364	'	'
Unconsolidated Properties [Member]	'	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Real estate assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $43,649 and $38,332 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively	209,132	212,877	'	'
Cash and other	4,978	5,103	'	'
Total assets	214,110	217,980	'	'
Mortgage notes payable	177,723	177,723	'	'
Other liabilities	2,673	2,588	'	'
Total liabilities	180,396	180,311	'	'
Members' equity	33,714	37,669	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	214,110	217,980	'	'
Company's equity investment in Apartment LLCs	($12,631)	($11,764)	'	'

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_4

Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Entities - Summary of Financial Information for Apartment LLCs (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'
Real estate assets, net of accumulated depreciation	$913,018	$842,925
Investments in unconsolidated real estate entities	16,687	16,297
Unconsolidated Properties [Member]	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'
Real estate assets, net of accumulated depreciation	43,649	38,332
Investments in unconsolidated real estate entities	$16,687	$16,297

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_5

Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Entities - Schedule of Operation for Apartment LLCs (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Rental	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$341,902	$311,021	$282,584
Other property revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	19,963	18,463	17,501
Total revenues	93,705	93,394	89,280	86,358	84,924	85,216	81,026	79,168	362,737	330,334	301,003
Expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Property operating and maintenance	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	155,261	141,775	130,148
Interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	44,704	46,028	56,417
Total expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	263,610	240,202	223,308
Income (Loss) from continuing operations available to common shareholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	76,955	78,567	18,322
Net income available to the Company	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	110,534	83,939	25,466
Company's share of net income in Apartment LLCs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,090	7,995	1,001
Unconsolidated Properties [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Rental	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	25,692	24,659	23,504
Other property revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,881	1,844	1,823
Total revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	27,573	26,503	25,327
Expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Property operating and maintenance	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	10,955	10,541	9,896
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,421	5,768	5,934
Interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	9,052	9,181	10,247
Total expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	25,428	25,490	26,077
Income (Loss) from continuing operations available to common shareholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,145	1,013	-750
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	21,667	-151
Net income available to the Company	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,145	22,680	-901
Company's share of net income in Apartment LLCs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$2,090	$7,995	$1,001

Indebtedness_Schedule_of_Indeb

Indebtedness - Schedule of Indebtedness (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total	$1,098,734	$1,102,464
Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Payment Terms	'Int.	'
Interest Rate, minimum	3.38%	'
Interest Rate, maximum	4.75%	'
Unsecured debt	400,000	400,000
Senior Notes [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument, Maturity Date	'2017	'
Senior Notes [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument, Maturity Date	'2022	'
Unsecured Bank Term Loan [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Payment Terms	'Int.	'
Interest Rate, spread over LIBOR	1.70%	'
Debt instrument, Maturity Date	'2018	'
Unsecured debt	300,000	300,000
Lines of Credit [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Payment Terms	'Int.	'
Interest Rate, spread over LIBOR	1.23%	'
Debt instrument, Maturity Date	'2016	'
Unsecured debt	'	'
Secured Mortgage Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Payment Terms	'Prin. and Int.	'
Interest Rate, minimum	4.88%	'
Interest Rate, maximum	5.99%	'
Secured debt	$398,734	$402,464
Secured Mortgage Notes [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument, Maturity Date	'2015	'
Secured Mortgage Notes [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument, Maturity Date	'2019	'

Indebtedness_Schedule_of_Indeb1

Indebtedness - Schedule of Indebtedness (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Unsecured Bank Term Loan [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Debt instrument, Maturity Date	'2018
Effective blended interest rate	3.24%
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Debt instrument, Maturity Date	'2014
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Debt instrument, Maturity Date	'2017
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Debt instrument, Maturity Date	'2022

Indebtedness_Schedule_of_Aggre

Indebtedness - Schedule of Aggregate Maturities of Indebtedness (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
2014	$3,961	'
2015	124,205	'
2016	4,418	'
2017	154,736	'
2018	350,958	'
Thereafter	460,456	'
Total aggregate maturities of indebtedness	$1,098,734	$1,102,464

Indebtedness_Additional_Inform

Indebtedness - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jun. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2012

Nov. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

5.45% Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]

Unsecured Bank Term Loan [Member]

Unsecured Bank Term Loan [Member]

Lines of Credit [Member]

Lines of Credit [Member]

Cash Management Line [Member]

5.5% Mortgage Notes Payable [Member]

3.375% Unsecured Debt [Member]

6.30% Unsecured Debt [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

OptionPlans

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

$300,000

'

$30,000

'

'

'

Interest Rate, spread over LIBOR

'

'

'

'

1.70%

'

1.23%

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility annual facility fees percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.23%

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, expiration year

'

'

'

'

'January 2018

'

'January 2016

'

'January 2016

'

'

'

Interest rate based on credit ratings ranges, minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate based on credit ratings ranges, maximum

'

'

'

'

2.30%

'

1.80%

'

'

'

'

'

Facility fee rate based on credit ratings range, minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.15%

'

'

'

'

'

Facility fee rate based on credit ratings range, maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.40%

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, competitive bid option for short-term funds, percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

Letters of credit issued

420

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of extension options

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

Net gain (loss) on extinguishment of indebtedness

'

-4,318

-6,919

'

'

'

301

'

'

'

'

4,017

Unamortized deferred financing costs

302

11,051

10,112

'

'

'

'

5,159

'

'

'

'

Term loan facility, borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate based on credit ratings ranges, minimum

'

'

'

'

1.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate paid under the Term Loan

'

'

'

'

'

1.54%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effective blended interest rate on the Term Loan

'

'

'

'

'

3.24%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior unsecured notes repaid upon their maturity

'

'

'

95,684

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stated interest rate on notes payable

'

'

'

5.45%

'

'

'

'

'

5.50%

3.38%

6.30%

Secured mortgage indebtedness repaid

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

53,027

'

'

Unsecured debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

250,000

130,091

Coverage's ratio

1.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Company's ratio

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unencumbered assets to unsecured debt

1.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Leverage ratio

60.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total secured debt to total asset value

40.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, covenant terms

'The Company's Syndicated Line, Cash Management Line, Term Loan and senior unsecured notes contain customary restrictions, representations, covenants and events of default and require the Company to meet certain financial covenants. Debt service and fixed charge coverage covenants require the Company to maintain

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate net book value of property pledged

$330,670

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity_and_Noncontrolling_Inte2

Equity and Noncontrolling Interests - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

31-May-12

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

7-5/8% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Shares [Member]

7-5/8% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Shares [Member]

At-The-Market Common Equity Sales Program [Member]

At-The-Market Common Equity Sales Program [Member]

At-The-Market Common Equity Sales Program [Member]

At-The-Market Common Equity Sales Program [Member]

At-The-Market Common Equity Sales Program [Member]

At-The-Market Common Equity Sales Program [Member]

At-The-Market Common Equity Sales Program [Member]

Gross [Member]

Gross [Member]

Net [Member]

Net [Member]

Equity And Noncontrolling Interests [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, shares authorized

100,000

100,000

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

4,000

'

'

'

'

Common stock, shares issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sale of common stock, shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

550

3,409

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from sales of common stock

'

'

$25,457

$135,651

'

'

'

'

'

$26,153

$138,628

$25,457

$135,651

Sales price per share

'

'

'

'

'

'

$47.55

$40.67

'

'

'

'

'

Stock repurchase program, authorized amount

200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares of common stock repurchased

'

550

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate cost of common stock repurchased

'

24,800

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Average gross price per common stock repurchased

'

$45.08

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Redemption of preferred stock

'

'

'

49,633

49,571

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred stock, percentage

'

'

'

'

7.63%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred stock redemption amount exceeds carrying value

'

'

'

'

'

1,757

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Carrying value reduction of earnings common unitholders

'

'

'

'

'

1,757

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Redeemable common units

7,159

6,121

7,159

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, net book value

$2,820

$2,792

$2,820

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity_and_Noncontrolling_Inte3

Equity and Noncontrolling Interests - Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified			8-1/2% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Shares [Member]
Equity And Noncontrolling Interests [Line Items]	'	'	'
Outstanding Shares	868	868	868
Liquidation Preference	$50	$50	$50
Optional Redemption Date	'	'	1-Oct-26
Redemption Price	'	'	$50
Stated Dividend Yield	'	'	8.50%
Approximate Dividend Rate	'	'	$4.25

Equity_and_Noncontrolling_Inte4

Equity and Noncontrolling Interests - Schedule of Redeemable Common Units (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Equity And Noncontrolling Interests [Line Items]	'	'	'
Redeemable common units, beginning of period	$7,159	'	'
Comprehensive income	118,901	75,028	22,900
Conversion of redeemable common units for shares	354	591	547
Adjustment for ownership interest of redeemable common units	-192	-416	-466
Stock-based compensation	3,638	2,930	2,574
Distributions to common unitholders	-67,433	-52,551	-43,105
Adjustment to redemption value of redeemable common units	1,011	-434	-804
Redeemable common units, end of period	6,121	7,159	'
Redeemable Common Units [Member]	'	'	'
Equity And Noncontrolling Interests [Line Items]	'	'	'
Redeemable common units, beginning of period	7,159	6,840	6,192
Comprehensive income	301	194	54
Conversion of redeemable common units for shares	-354	-591	-547
Adjustment for ownership interest of redeemable common units	192	416	466
Stock-based compensation	9	7	7
Distributions to common unitholders	-175	-141	-136
Adjustment to redemption value of redeemable common units	-1,011	434	804
Redeemable common units, end of period	$6,121	$7,159	$6,840

Company_Earnings_Per_Share_Sch

Company Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	$15,362	$18,632	$27,171	$19,957	$18,512	$21,945	$20,825	$21,504	$81,122	$82,786	$24,717
Noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-107	-135	-67
Noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-279	-217	-62
Dividends to preferred shareholders	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-3,688	-3,688	-4,455
Preferred stock redemption costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,757
Unvested restricted stock (allocation of earnings)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-170	-183	-57
Income (Loss) from continuing operations available to common shareholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	76,955	78,567	18,322
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	54,336	53,821	50,420
Dilutive shares from stock options	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	172	310	388
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	54,508	54,131	50,808
Basic	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1.42	$1.46	$0.36
Diluted	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1.41	$1.45	$0.36
Noncontrolling Interests - Operating Partnership [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($202)	($213)	($59)

Company_Earnings_Per_Share_Add

Company Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) (Gross Antidilutive [Member])	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Gross Antidilutive [Member]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Antidilutive stock options to purchase common stock	186	158	531

Operating_Partnership_Earnings

Operating Partnership Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	$15,362	$18,632	$27,171	$19,957	$18,512	$21,945	$20,825	$21,504	$81,122	$82,786	$24,717
Noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-107	-135	-67
Preferred unit distributions	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-3,688	-3,688	-4,455
Preferred unit redemption costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,757
Income (Loss) from continuing operations available to common shareholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	76,955	78,567	18,322
Weighted average units outstanding - basic	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	54,336	53,821	50,420
Dilutive units from stock options	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	172	310	388
Weighted average units outstanding - diluted	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	54,508	54,131	50,808
Basic	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1.42	$1.46	$0.36
Diluted	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1.41	$1.45	$0.36
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	15,362	18,632	27,171	19,957	18,512	21,945	20,825	21,504	81,122	82,786	24,717
Noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities	-20	-32	-58	3	-39	-55	-35	-6	-107	-135	-67
Preferred unit distributions	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-3,688	-3,688	-4,455
Preferred unit redemption costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,757
Unvested restricted stock (allocation of earnings)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-170	-183	-57
Income (Loss) from continuing operations available to common shareholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$77,157	$78,780	$18,381
Weighted average units outstanding - basic	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	54,478	53,968	50,584
Dilutive units from stock options	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	172	310	388
Weighted average units outstanding - diluted	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	54,650	54,278	50,972
Basic	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1.42	$1.46	$0.36
Diluted	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1.41	$1.45	$0.36

Operating_Partnership_Earnings1

Operating Partnership Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) (Gross Antidilutive [Member])	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Antidilutive stock options to purchase common stock	186	158	531
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Antidilutive stock options to purchase common stock	186	158	531

Severance_Impairment_and_Other1

Severance, Impairment and Other Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring Settlement And Impairment Provisions [Abstract]	'
Severance charges	$1,189
Non-cash impairment charges	400
Charges related to strategic initiative	592
Charges related to casualty losses	$236

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Minimum annual distribution of adjusted taxable income for REIT qualification	90.00%	'	'
Subsequent taxable years	'4 years	'	'
Basis of net assets for federal income tax purposes	$44,000	'	'
Income tax benefit	0	612	470
Net deferred tax assets	25,166	38,559	'
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits, increases resulting from prior period tax positions	$797	$797	'

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Net Income to Taxable Income (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income available to the Company	$110,534	$83,939	$25,466
Add (subtract) net loss (income) of taxable REIT subsidiaries	-26,842	-33,956	-739
Adjusted net income available to the Company	83,692	49,983	24,727
Book/tax depreciation difference	-3,770	-2,611	-3,863
Book/tax difference on gains from real estate sales	-28,306	1,804	'
Book/tax difference on stock-based compensation	-1,810	-15,706	-5,108
Other book/tax differences, net	6,068	-1,267	-3,761
Taxable income of the Company before allocation of taxable capital gains	55,874	32,203	11,995
Income taxable as capital gains	'	-7,843	'
Taxable ordinary income of the Company	$55,874	$24,360	$11,995

Income_Taxes_Income_Tax_Charac

Income Taxes - Income Tax Characterization of Dividends (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Ordinary income	$1.15	$0.53	$0.23
Capital gains	$0.01	$0.07	'
Unrecaptured Section 1250 gains	'	$0.06	'
Return of capital	'	$0.28	$0.59
Dividends paid per common share	$1.16	$0.94	$0.82
Percentage of Ordinary income	99.40%	56.60%	28.00%
Percentage of Capital gains	0.60%	7.00%	'
Percentage of Unrecaptured Section 1250 gains	'	6.90%	'
Percentage of Return of capital	'	29.50%	72.00%
Percentage of dividend paid per common share	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_1

Stock-Based Compensation Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares of common stock reserved for issuance	3,469	'	'
Stock grants counted against the total shares for every share issued	2.7	'	'
Stock-based compensation arrangement maximum assumption expected period, years	'10 years	'	'
Description and terms of 2003 incentive stock plan	'Incentive stock awards are granted under the Companybs 2003 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended and restated in October 2008 (the b2003 Stock Planb). Under the 2003 Stock Plan, an aggregate of 3,469 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance. Of this amount, stock grants count against the total shares available under the 2003 Stock Plan as 2.7 shares for every one share issued, while options (and stock appreciation rights (bSARb) settled in shares) count against the total shares available as one share for every one share issued on the exercise of an option (or SAR). The exercise price of each option granted under the 2003 Stock Plan may not be less than the market price of the Companybs common stock on the date of the option grant and all options may have a maximum life of ten years. Participants receiving restricted stock grants are generally eligible to vote such shares and receive dividends on such shares. Substantially all stock option and restricted stock grants are subject to annual vesting provisions (generally three to five years) as determined by the compensation committee overseeing the 2003 Stock Plan.	'	'
Maximum number of shares issuable under the ESPP	300	'	'
Percentage of share purchase price	85.00%	'	'
Discount on the share purchases	15.00%	'	'
Employee stock purchase plan description, compensation expense	$164	$223	$198
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total compensation expense relating to restricted stock	3,020	2,334	2,004
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options	3,210	'	'
Unrecognized compensation costs, weighted average period of recognition, years	'1 year 9 months 18 days	'	'
Total intrinsic value of restricted shares vested	2,933	3,892	4,246
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total compensation expense relating to restricted stock	463	380	379
Unrecognized compensation costs, weighted average period of recognition, years	'1 year 7 months 6 days	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options	437	'	'
Equity Option [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$2,808	$15,808	$5,525
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award vesting period, (in years)	'3 years	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award vesting period, (in years)	'5 years	'	'

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_2

Stock-Based Compensation Plans - Schedule of Assumptions Used in Black-Scholes Option-Pricing Model (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Dividend yield	2.00%	2.00%	2.20%
Expected volatility	43.10%	43.30%	42.40%
Risk-free interest rate	1.10%	1.10%	2.70%
Expected option term (years)	'6 years	'6 years	'6 years

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_3

Stock-Based Compensation Plans - Summary of Activity Related to Company's Restricted Stock (Detail) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unvested shares, beginning of period	65	84	129
Granted, Shares	75	59	52
Vested, Shares	-64	-78	-97
Forfeited, Shares	-1	'	'
Unvested shares, end of period	75	65	84
Weighted-Avg. Grant-Date Fair Value, beginning of period, Unvested Shares	$42	$29	$19
Weighted-Avg. Grant-Date Fair Value, Granted	$50	$45	$38
Weighted-Avg. Grant-Date Fair Value, Vested	$44	$30	$21
Weighted-Avg. Grant-Date Fair Value, Forfeited	$50	'	'
Weighted-Avg. Grant-Date Fair Value, end of period, Unvested Shares	$48	$42	$29

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_4

Stock-Based Compensation Plans - Summary of Activity Related to Company's Restricted Stock (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Total value of the restricted share grants	$3,743	$2,657	$2,012

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_5

Stock-Based Compensation Plans - Summary of Stock Option Activity Under All Plans (Detail) (Equity Option [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Equity Option [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Options outstanding, beginning of period, Shares	685	1,501	2,068
Granted, Shares	29	29	25
Exercised, Shares	-174	-845	-582
Forfeited, Shares	-1	'	'
Expired, Shares	'	'	-10
Options outstanding, end of period, Shares	539	685	1,501
Options exercisable, end of period, Shares	486	617	1,348
Options vested and expected to vest, end of period, Shares	536	682	1,494
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the period	$17.26	$15.18	$13.18
Options outstanding, beginning of period, Exercise Price	$34	$31	$31
Granted, Exercise Price	$50	$44	$37
Exercised, Exercise Price	$29	$30	$30
Forfeited, Exercise Price	$50	'	'
Expired, Exercise Price	'	'	$39
Options outstanding, end of period, Exercise Price	$36	$34	$31
Options exercisable, end of period, Exercise Price	$35	$34	$33
Options vested and expected to vest, end of period, Exercise Price	$36	$34	$31

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_6

Stock-Based Compensation Plans - Summary of Stock Option Activity Under All Plans (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding	$5,418
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercisable	5,333
Aggregate intrinsic values of stock options expected to vest	$5,413
Weighted average remaining contractual lives of stock options outstanding, years	'3 years 8 months 12 days
Weighted average remaining contractual lives of stock options exercisable, years	'3 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted average remaining contractual lives of stock options expected to vest, years	'3 years 8 months 12 days

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_7

Stock-Based Compensation Plans - Schedule of Outstanding Options into Two Ranges, Based on Exercise Prices (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Range of exercise prices remaining contractual life, outstanding	'3 years 8 months 12 days
Range of exercise prices shares, outstanding	539
Range of exercise prices weighted average exercise price, outstanding	$36
Range of exercise prices shares, exercisable	486
Options Exercisable, Weighted Avg. Exercise Price	$35
Outstanding Options with Range Based Exercise Prices Set One [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Exercise price range, lower range limit	$12.22
Exercise price range, upper range limit	$39.95
Range of exercise prices remaining contractual life, outstanding	'4 years
Range of exercise prices shares, outstanding	217
Range of exercise prices weighted average exercise price, outstanding	$23
Range of exercise prices shares, exercisable	208
Options Exercisable, Weighted Avg. Exercise Price	$23
Outstanding Options with Range Based Exercise Prices Set Two [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Exercise price range, lower range limit	$40.15
Exercise price range, upper range limit	$50.30
Range of exercise prices remaining contractual life, outstanding	'3 years 7 months 6 days
Range of exercise prices shares, outstanding	322
Range of exercise prices weighted average exercise price, outstanding	$45
Range of exercise prices shares, exercisable	278
Options Exercisable, Weighted Avg. Exercise Price	$44

Employee_Benefit_Plan_Addition

Employee Benefit Plan - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Employee pre-tax contribution	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%
Employee contribution salary	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%
Company contributions for 401K plan	$658	$670	$639

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Lease
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of ground leases	2	'	'
Rent expense	$3,542	$3,738	$3,691
Land Lease Communities [Member]	'	'	'
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of operating communities	2	'	'
Ground Lease One [Member]	'	'	'
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Lease expiration term	'2038	'	'
Ground Lease Two [Member]	'	'	'
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Lease expiration term	'2074	'	'
Other Operating Leases [Member]	'	'	'
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Lease expiration term	'2057	'	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Future Minimum Lease Payments (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014	$665
2015	652
2016	650
2017	652
2018	652
2019 and thereafter	$65,169

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'	'	'
Investments in Apartment LLC's	$3,481	$3,488	$3,978

Fair_Value_Measures_and_Financ2

Fair Value Measures and Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	Agreement	Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Variable Rate Debt [Member]	Variable Rate Debt [Member]	Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	Three Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Fourth Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment charges	$400	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of interest rate swap agreements	3	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Notional amounts	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	230,000	70,000
Derivative, fixed interest rate	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1.55%	1.50%
LIBOR rate	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'One-month LIBOR rate	'One-month LIBOR rate
Reduction in blended interest rate	3.24%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative maturity period	'2018-01	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net liabilities	'	'	'	'	'	3,428	11,710	'	'
Accumulated comprehensive income to interest expense, future periods	3,979	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Termination payment	3,419	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	'	816,582	860,217	305,653	298,551	'	'	'	'
Carrying value of debt	'	$798,734	$802,464	$300,000	$300,000	'	'	'	'

Fair_Value_Measures_and_Financ3

Fair Value Measures and Financial Instruments - Schedule of Effect of Interest Rate Swaps Designated as Cash Flow Hedges (Detail) (Cash Flow Hedging [Member], Interest Rate Swap [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income	$4,191	($11,804)	'
Loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into interest expense	($4,091)	($2,735)	'

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Stabilized occupancy benchmark percentage	95.00%
Number of years to achieve stabilized occupancy subsequent to completion of construction	'1 year

Segment_Information_Schedule_o

Segment Information - Schedule of Segment's Contribution to Consolidated Revenues and Net Operating Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$872	$850	$918
Revenues	93,705	93,394	89,280	86,358	84,924	85,216	81,026	79,168	362,737	330,334	301,003
Consolidated property net operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	206,604	187,709	169,937
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	77	393	1,021
Other revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	872	850	918
Depreciation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-85,608	-79,367	-74,464
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-44,704	-46,028	-56,417
Amortization of deferred financing costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,573	-2,695	-2,797
General and administrative	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-17,245	-16,342	-16,100
Investment and development	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,755	-1,317	-1,161
Other investment costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,324	-1,401	-1,435
Severance, impairment and other	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,417	'	'
Gains on condominium sales activities, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	27,944	36,273	10,514
Equity in income of unconsolidated real estate entities, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,090	7,995	1,001
Other income (expense), net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-839	1,034	619
Net loss on extinguishment of indebtedness	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-4,318	-6,919
Income from continuing operations	15,362	18,632	27,171	19,957	18,512	21,945	20,825	21,504	81,122	82,786	24,717
Income from discontinued operations	28,501	421	443	433	422	377	345	361	29,798	1,505	878
Net income	43,863	19,053	27,614	20,390	18,934	22,322	21,170	21,865	110,920	84,291	25,595
Fully Stabilized Communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	313,412	301,899	278,180
Consolidated property net operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	192,263	186,008	169,518
Lease Up Communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	16,765	1,779	'
Consolidated property net operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8,640	-5	'
Acquired Communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8,708	2,757	'
Consolidated property net operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,721	1,868	'
Other Property Segments, Including Corporate Management Expenses [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,980	23,049	21,905
Consolidated property net operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($20)	($162)	$419

Other_Income_Expense_Additiona

Other Income (Expense) - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Component Of Other Income (Expense), Nonoperating [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other income (expense)	($839)	$1,034	$619
Texas Franchise Tax [Member]	'	'	'
Component Of Other Income (Expense), Nonoperating [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other income (expense)	-839	-625	-600
State Income Tax Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Component Of Other Income (Expense), Nonoperating [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other income (expense)	'	'	470
Construction Litigation [Member]	'	'	'
Component Of Other Income (Expense), Nonoperating [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other income (expense)	'	1,554	'
Technology Investment [Member]	'	'	'
Component Of Other Income (Expense), Nonoperating [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other income (expense)	'	62	475
Legal Settlements And Miscellaneous Receivable Recoveries [Member]	'	'	'
Component Of Other Income (Expense), Nonoperating [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other income (expense)	'	$43	$274

Company_Quarterly_Financial_In2

Company Quarterly Financial Information - Schedule of Company Quarterly Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$93,705	$93,394	$89,280	$86,358	$84,924	$85,216	$81,026	$79,168	$362,737	$330,334	$301,003
Income from continuing operations	15,362	18,632	27,171	19,957	18,512	21,945	20,825	21,504	81,122	82,786	24,717
Income from discontinued operations	28,501	421	443	433	422	377	345	361	29,798	1,505	878
Net income	43,863	19,053	27,614	20,390	18,934	22,322	21,170	21,865	110,920	84,291	25,595
Noncontrolling interests	-132	-80	-126	-48	-81	-115	-91	-65	'	'	'
Dividends to preferred shareholders	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-3,688	-3,688	-4,455
Net income available to common shareholders	$42,809	$18,051	$26,566	$19,420	$17,931	$21,285	$20,157	$20,878	$106,846	$80,251	$19,254
Earnings per common share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income available to common shareholders - basic	$0.79	$0.33	$0.49	$0.36	$0.33	$0.39	$0.37	$0.39	$1.96	$1.49	$0.38
Net income available to common shareholders - diluted	$0.79	$0.33	$0.48	$0.35	$0.33	$0.39	$0.37	$0.39	$1.96	$1.48	$0.38

Operating_Partnership_Quarterl

Operating Partnership Quarterly Financial Information - Schedule of Company Quarterly Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule Of Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$93,705	$93,394	$89,280	$86,358	$84,924	$85,216	$81,026	$79,168	$362,737	$330,334	$301,003
Income from continuing operations	15,362	18,632	27,171	19,957	18,512	21,945	20,825	21,504	81,122	82,786	24,717
Net income	43,863	19,053	27,614	20,390	18,934	22,322	21,170	21,865	110,920	84,291	25,595
Noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-107	-135	-67
Dividends to preferred shareholders	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-3,688	-3,688	-4,455
Net income available to common shareholders	42,809	18,051	26,566	19,420	17,931	21,285	20,157	20,878	106,846	80,251	19,254
Earnings per common unit:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income available to common unitholders - basic	$0.79	$0.33	$0.49	$0.36	$0.33	$0.39	$0.37	$0.39	$1.96	$1.49	$0.38
Net income available to common unitholders - diluted	$0.79	$0.33	$0.48	$0.35	$0.33	$0.39	$0.37	$0.39	$1.96	$1.48	$0.38
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule Of Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	93,705	93,394	89,280	86,358	84,924	85,216	81,026	79,168	362,737	330,334	301,003
Income from continuing operations	15,362	18,632	27,171	19,957	18,512	21,945	20,825	21,504	81,122	82,786	24,717
Income from discontinued operations	28,501	421	443	433	422	377	345	361	'	'	'
Net income	43,863	19,053	27,614	20,390	18,934	22,322	21,170	21,865	110,920	84,291	25,595
Noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities	-20	-32	-58	3	-39	-55	-35	-6	-107	-135	-67
Dividends to preferred shareholders	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-922	-3,688	-3,688	-4,455
Net income available to common shareholders	$42,921	$18,099	$26,634	$19,471	$17,973	$21,345	$20,213	$20,937	$107,125	$80,468	$19,316
Earnings per common unit:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income available to common unitholders - basic	$0.79	$0.33	$0.49	$0.36	$0.33	$0.39	$0.37	$0.39	$1.96	$1.49	$0.38
Net income available to common unitholders - diluted	$0.79	$0.33	$0.48	$0.35	$0.33	$0.39	$0.37	$0.39	$1.96	$1.48	$0.38

Real_Estate_Investments_and_Ac1

Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation - Schedule of Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation (Detail) (USD $)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Georgia [Member]

Georgia [Member]

Georgia [Member]

Georgia [Member]

Georgia [Member]

Georgia [Member]

Georgia [Member]

Georgia [Member]

Georgia [Member]

Georgia [Member]

Georgia [Member]

Georgia [Member]

Georgia [Member]

Georgia [Member]

Georgia [Member]

Georgia [Member]

Virginia [Member]

Virginia [Member]

Virginia [Member]

Virginia [Member]

Virginia [Member]

Maryland [Member]

Maryland [Member]

Texas [Member]

Texas [Member]

Texas [Member]

Texas [Member]

Texas [Member]

Texas [Member]

Texas [Member]

Texas [Member]

Texas [Member]

Texas [Member]

Texas [Member]

Texas [Member]

Texas [Member]

Texas [Member]

Texas [Member]

Texas [Member]

Texas [Member]

Texas [Member]

Texas [Member]

Texas [Member]

Texas [Member]

Florida [Member]

Florida [Member]

Florida [Member]

Florida [Member]

Florida [Member]

Florida [Member]

Florida [Member]

Florida [Member]

Florida [Member]

New York [Member]

New York [Member]

North Carolina [Member]

North Carolina [Member]

North Carolina [Member]

North Carolina [Member]

North Carolina [Member]

North Carolina [Member]

Miscellaneous Investments [Member]

Post Alexander [Member]

Post Briarcliff [Member]

Post Brookhaven [Member]

Post Brookhaven [Member]

Post Chastain [Member]

Post Chastain [Member]

Post Crossing [Member]

Post Crossing [Member]

Post Gardens [Member]

Post Glen [Member]

Post Parkside [Member]

Post Peachtree Hills [Member]

Post Peachtree Hills [Member]

Post Riverside [Member]

Post Spring [Member]

Post Stratford [Member]

Post Carlyle Square [Member]

Post Carlyle Square [Member]

Post Corners [Member]

Post Pentagon Row [Member]

Post Tysons Corner [Member]

Post Fallsgrove [Member]

Post Park [Member]

Post Abbey [Member]

Post Addison Circle [Member]

Post Barton Creek [Member]

Post Cole's Corner [Member]

Post Eastside [Member]

Post Heights/Gallery [Member]

Post Katy Trail [Member]

Post Legacy [Member]

Post Meridian [Member]

Post Midtown Square [Member]

Post Midtown Square [Member]

Post Park Mesa [Member]

Post Rice Lofts [Member]

Post Sierra At Frisco Bridges [Member]

Post South Lamar [Member]

Post Square [Member]

Post Uptown Village [Member]

Post Vineyard [Member]

Post Vintage [Member]

Post West Austin [Member]

Post Worthington [Member]

Post Parkside [Member]

Post Bay At Rocky Point [Member]

Post Harbour Place [Member]

Post Hyde Park [Member]

Post Hyde Park [Member]

Post Lake At Baldwin Park [Member]

Post Lakeside [Member]

Post Rocky Point [Member]

Post Rocky Point [Member]

Post Luminaria [Member]

Post Toscana [Member]

Post Parkside [Member]

Post Ballantyne [Member]

Post Gateway Place [Member]

Post Park At Phillips Place [Member]

Post South End [Member]

Post Uptown Place [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]

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'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

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'

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'

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'

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'

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'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Description

'

'

'

'

'Apartments

'Apartments

'Apartments

'

'Apartments

'

'Apartments

'

'Apartments

'Apartments

'Mixed Use

'Apartments

'

'Mixed Use

'Apartments

'Apartments

'Mixed Use

'

'Apartments

'Mixed Use

'Apartments

'Apartments

'Mixed Use

'Apartments

'Mixed Use

'Apartments

'Mixed Use

'Mixed Use

'Mixed Use

'Mixed Use

'Mixed Use

'Apartments

'Mixed Use

'

'Apartments

'Mixed Use

'Mixed Use

'Mixed Use

'Mixed Use

'Apartments

'Apartments

'Apartments

'Apartments

'Mixed Use

'Mixed Use

'Apartments

'Mixed Use

'Apartments

'

'Apartments

'Apartments

'Apartments

'

'Mixed Use

'Mixed Use

'Mixed Use

'Apartments

'Mixed Use

'Mixed Use

'Mixed Use

'Mixed Use

'

Related Encumbrances

$398,734

'

'

'

'

$57,960

'

'

'

'

$26,023

'

'

$27,037

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$39,375

'

'

'

'

'

$120,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$44,814

'

'

'

'

'

$33,602

$49,923

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Initial Costs Land

376,409

'

'

'

7,392

13,344

7,921

'

6,352

'

3,951

'

5,859

5,591

3,402

4,215

'

11,130

2,105

328

5,920

'

4,404

2,359

20,000

14,801

8,555

575

2,885

1,920

1,886

5,735

5,455

7,324

684

1,535

6,370

'

1,480

449

3,581

4,942

4,565

3,955

1,133

2,614

10,865

3,744

2,493

528

3,854

3,498

'

24,581

4,377

10,510

'

4,938

15,976

3,970

6,400

2,424

4,305

7,732

2,336

79,161

Initial Costs Building and Improvements

638,374

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,659

65,478

69,179

'

6,276

41,482

24,482

18,006

'

15,559

40,355

'

11,605

1,412

'

17,861

13,393

'

'

24,595

22,120

8,560

12,188

'

34,700

'

5,081

'

'

'

56,702

43,724

'

'

'

'

'

30,850

'

'

65,803

'

1,304

Costs Capitalized Subsequent To Acquisition

2,148,252

'

'

'

49,800

51,680

39,275

'

62,372

'

23,193

'

37,142

24,946

22,168

26,852

'

122,072

41,715

29,577

136,509

'

27,519

90,462

10,613

6,192

75,578

2,902

138,497

4,725

4,680

53,999

44,369

389

38,086

3,058

75,787

'

2,684

38,760

38,279

35,028

5,232

22,218

1,820

2,549

40,510

19,471

39,065

21,301

72,012

46,589

'

37,794

116

76,072

'

43,362

78,620

47,189

3,709

64,460

41,899

1,144

30,605

93,607

Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period Land

406,875

'

'

'

7,392

13,344

7,921

'

6,779

'

3,951

'

5,931

5,784

3,465

4,857

'

12,457

2,105

620

8,474

'

4,493

3,470

20,000

14,801

8,555

575

8,382

1,920

2,086

5,735

5,812

7,324

811

1,535

5,399

'

1,480

449

3,581

4,942

4,565

6,195

1,133

2,614

10,865

3,744

2,493

2,400

8,312

9,680

'

24,581

4,377

10,567

'

4,938

17,156

3,970

6,400

3,481

4,307

7,732

2,363

80,572

Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period Building and Improvements

2,756,160

'

'

'

49,800

51,680

39,275

'

61,945

'

23,193

'

37,070

24,753

22,105

26,210

'

120,745

41,715

29,285

133,955

'

27,430

97,010

76,091

75,371

75,578

9,178

174,482

29,207

22,486

53,999

59,571

40,744

37,959

14,663

78,170

'

20,545

52,153

38,279

35,028

29,827

42,098

10,380

14,737

40,510

54,171

39,065

24,510

67,554

40,407

'

94,496

43,840

76,015

'

43,362

77,440

47,189

34,559

63,403

41,897

66,947

30,578

93,500

Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period Total

3,163,035

3,011,352

2,787,689

2,652,630

57,192

65,024

47,196

'

68,724

'

27,144

'

43,001

30,537

25,570

31,067

'

133,202

43,820

29,905

142,429

'

31,923

100,480

96,091

90,172

84,133

9,753

182,864

31,127

24,572

59,734

65,383

48,068

38,770

16,198

83,569

'

22,025

52,602

41,860

39,970

34,392

48,293

11,513

17,351

51,375

57,915

41,558

26,910

75,866

50,087

'

119,077

48,217

86,582

'

48,300

94,596

51,159

40,959

66,884

46,204

74,679

32,941

174,072

Accumulated Depreciation

$913,018

$842,925

$767,017

$692,514

$12,850

$25,395

$25,927

'

$34,039

'

$12,653

'

$19,560

$12,801

$9,573

$11,380

'

$59,584

$18,424

$12,794

$15,805

'

$14,013

$32,913

$20,785

$15,765

$14,613

$3,627

$79,572

$6,417

$10,902

$12,425

$26,355

$2,506

$14,907

$6,946

$24,779

'

$4,681

$17,788

$7,929

$1,906

$12,023

$17,352

$4,186

$6,619

$9,326

$21,273

$15,408

$5,203

$30,316

$17,076

'

$12,251

$836

$35,428

'

$16,884

$21,411

$987

$9,789

$24,359

$21,037

$2,908

$12,088

$26,644

Date of Construction

'

'

'

'

'2006-04

'1996-12

'1989-07

'1992-12

'1988-06

'1990-10

'1994-04

'1995-08

'1996-07

'1996-07

'1999-02

'1992-02

'1994-09

'1996-07

'1999-09

'1999-04

'2004-12

'2010-08

'1994-06

'1999-06

'

'

'2007-12

'

'1997-10

'

'

'2006-10

'1997-10

'

'1999-03

'

'1997-10

'2011-05

'

'1997-10

'2007-10

'2011-02

'

'

'

'

'2008-02

'

'1999-03

'

'1997-03

'1994-09

'2006-10

'2011-06

'

'1994-04

'1996-11

'2001-03

'2002-01

'2011-06

'2004-11

'2000-11

'1996-01

'

'1998-09

'

Date Acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'1996-09

'1989-03

'

'1988-06

'

'1993-11

'

'1996-05

'1996-05

'1997-12

'1992-02

'1992-09

'1996-01

'1999-09

'1999-01

'

'

'1994-06

'1999-02

'2004-06

'2006-07

'

'1997-10

'1997-10

'2006-03

'1997-10

'

'1997-10

'2011-12

'1999-03

'1997-10

'1997-10

'

'2006-03

'1997-10

'

'

'1997-10

'1997-10

'1997-10

'1997-10

'

'1997-10

'1999-03

'2006-10

'1997-01

'1994-07

'

'2007-07

'2013-05

'1994-02

'1996-09

'2001-03

'2002-01

'

'2005-05

'1999-08

'1995-11

'2012-07

'1998-09

'

Real_Estate_Investments_and_Ac2

Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation - Schedule of Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Building [Member]	Other Buildings and Land Improvements [Member]	Furniture Fixtures and Equipment [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
						Furniture Fixtures and Equipment [Member]	Furniture Fixtures and Equipment [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate cost for Federal Tax purposes	$3,026,809	'	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciable lives (in years)	'	'	'40 years	'20 years	'	'5 years	'10 years
For-sale condominiums	1,122	23,281	'	'	1,122	'	'
Assets held for sale	$0	'	'	'	'	'	'

Real_Estate_Investments_and_Ac3

Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation - Summary of Activity for Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Real estate investments, beginning balance	$3,011,352	$2,787,689	$2,652,630
Improvements	136,966	152,696	87,944
Acquisitions of communities	48,101	73,535	47,679
Asset impairment charges	-400	'	'
Disposition of property	-32,984	-2,568	-564
Real estate investments, ending balance	3,163,035	3,011,352	2,787,689
Accumulated depreciation, beginning balance	842,925	767,017	692,514
Depreciation	84,617	78,476	74,678
Accumulated depreciation on disposed property	-14,524	-2,568	-175
Accumulated depreciation, ending balance	$913,018	$842,925	$767,017